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Quill Barbed Suture

Quill Barbed Suture is a time-saving closure device that eliminates the need to tie knots to secure the closure. The helical barbed design evenly distributes tension offering a unique combination of security and speed – increasing both efficiency and value.

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“I can now close wounds that would normally require a skin graft by using Quill PDO on the deep subcutaneous layer to reduce tension followed by Quill Monoderm subcuticularly.”

John Strasswimmer, M.D
Delray Beach, FL

“Quill is my ‘go-to’ suture for any linear closure whether it be on the face, trunk, or extremities. My closures are quicker and cheaper with Quill sutures. Cosmetic outcomes are excellent.”

Helen Raynham, M.D.
Boston, MA

“Quill saves time, especially on large closures and in elderly patients with friable skin. It has been a game changer for repair of these defects.”

Keith LeBlanc, M.D.
New Orleans, LA

Benefits of Quill Barbed Suture

Fast & efficient

Quill is associated with reduced and/or significantly reduced wound closure time,1-5 with more than 50% time savings in abdominoplasty closure,*6 and it is proven to be cost effective.1,3,5,7,8

Secure & strong

Quill barbs immediately maintain tension once engaged in tissue. It has superior anchoring strength to hold wound edges together during approximation with minimal tissue trauma.

Improved outcomes

The innovative Quill barb design, may reduce knot-related complications, because they eliminate the need for knots, which are a common source of issues in surgical wound closure 9-11 and which may contribute to scar cosmesis for the patients. 12

* Compared to traditional sutures

Quill Barbed Suture Elements

Suture configurations

Suture configurations

Quill Barbed Suture is offered in two barb configurations: bi-directional and uni-directional. Bi-directional is a double-armed suture.  Barbs reverse direction at the mid-point of the suture. Uni-directional is a single armed suture. The suture is anchored using the adjustable loop at the apex of the wound.

Suture configurations
Product packaging

Product packaging

Single foil barrier eliminates packaging waste. Quill tray reduces suture memory and protects the barbs. Labelled tray provides clear identification in the sterile field.

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Surgical needles

Surgical needles

Our surgical needles provide maximum performance for consistency and control. Quill barbed sutures are offered with a variety of needle options for multiple specialties.

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Suture materials

Suture materials

Monoderm® is a short-term, absorbable suture available in clear or violet colors and essentially complete by 120 days. Due to its pliability and handling characteristics, it is suitable for subcuticular and soft tissue approximation. PDO (polydioxanone) is a long-term, absorbable suture available in the color violet and essentially complete by 180 days. It is suitable for many types of soft tissue approximation where extended support is needed but still promotes future growth. Polypropylene is a non-absorbable, permanent suture available in clear or blue colors. Its tensile strength is not weakened by tissue enzymes and used where prolonged apposition of wounds are needed.

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Sharpoint Microsuture

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References

1. Raja BS, Gowda AKS, Choudhury AK, Paul S, Kalia RB. Barbed Sutures for Total Hip and Knee Arthroplasty Have Shorter Wound Closure Time and are Cost-Effective in Comparison to Traditional Sutures: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of 16 Randomized Controlled Trials. JOIO. 2022 July 1;56(7):1156–73.

2. Sun C, Chen L, Du R, Wu S, Ma Q, Cai X. Barbed Sutures in Total Knee Arthroplasty: A Meta-analysis of Randomized-Controlled Trials. J Knee Surg. 2021 Dec;34(14):1516–26.

3. Li P, Zhang W, Wang Y, Li J, Yan P, Guo S, et al. Barbed suture versus traditional suture in primary total knee arthroplasty: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled studies. Medicine. 2020 May 22;99(21):e19945.

4. Li R, Ni M, Zhao J, Li X, Zhang Z, Ren P, et al. A Modified Strategy Using Barbed Sutures for Wound Closure in Total Joint Arthroplasty: A Prospective, Randomized, Double-Blind, Self-Controlled Clinical Trial. Med Sci Monit. 2018 Nov 21;24:8401–7.

5. Malhotra R, Jain V, Kumar V, Gautam D. Evaluation of running knotless barbed suture for capsular closure in primary total knee arthroplasty for osteoarthritis—a prospective randomized study. International Orthopaedics (SICOT). 2017 Oct 1;41(10):2061–6.

6. Practice PS. Evaluating the Quill Self-Retaining System [Internet]. Plastic Surgery Practice. 2009 [cited 2025 Nov 6]. Available from: https://plasticsurgerypractice.com/treatment-solutions/products/evaluating-the-quill-selfretaining-system/

7. Gililland JM, Anderson LA, Barney JK, Ross HL, Pelt CE, Peters CL. Barbed Versus Standard Sutures for Closure in Total Knee Arthroplasty: A Multicenter Prospective Randomized Trial. The Journal of Arthroplasty. 2014 Sept 1;29(9):135–8.

8. Sah AP. Is There an Advantage to Knotless Barbed Suture in TKA Wound Closure? A Randomized Trial in Simultaneous Bilateral TKAs. Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research®. 2015 June;473(6):2019.

9. van Rijssel EJ, Brand R, Admiraal C, Smit I, Trimbos JB. Tissue reaction and surgical knots: the effect of suture size, knot configuration, and knot volume. Obstet Gynecol. 1989 July;74(1):64–8.

10. Mitchell RTM, Bengtson BP. Clinical Applications of Barbed Suture in Aesthetic Breast Surgery. Clinics in Plastic Surgery. 2015 Oct;42(4):595–604.

11. Lin Y, Lai S, Huang J, Du L. The Efficacy and Safety of Knotless Barbed Sutures in the Surgical Field: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials. Sci Rep. 2016 Sept;6(1):23425.

12. Paul MD. Bidirectional Barbed Sutures for Wound Closure: Evolution and Applications. The Journal of the American College of Certified Wound Specialists. 2009 Apr;1(2):51–7.

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