Suture Materials Guide

Express Gut is an ideal surface suture in dermatologic repair. It ensures a dependable and predictable absorption and an extremely high tensile strength. Every strand is precision polished to a uniform diameter, permitting smooth and secure knotting.

• Effective Wound Support for 5-7 days
• Comparable to Ethicon Fast Absorbing Gut
• Sizes 5-0 and 6-0 USP with PC-1 Needle

Packaged in Wetting Solution

Common Uses:
Dermatology
Plastic Surgery

Made of first quality raw material, Catgut ensures a dependable and predictable absorption and an extremely high tensile strength. Every strand is precision polished to a uniform diameter, permitting smooth and secure knotting. Available in plain and chromic.

Twisted:
Plain and Chromic
Packaged in Wetting Solution

In Vivo Strength Retention:
Varies

Mass Absorption:
Varies depending upon type of suture (plain vs. chromic) and site of placement

Common Uses:
General Closure
OB/Gyn
Urology
Bowel Anastomosis

Made of first quality raw material, Catgut ensures a dependable and predictable absorption and an extremely high tensile strength. Every strand is precision polished to a uniform diameter, permitting smooth and secure knotting.

Twisted:
Plain & Chromic
Packaged in Wetting Solution

In Vivo Strength Retention:
Varies

Mass Absorption:
Varies depending upon type of suture (plain vs. chromic) and site of placement

Common Uses:
General Closure
OB/Gyn
Urology
Bowel Anastomosis

(Polygycolic acid & E-caprolactone)

This synthetic absorbable monofilament has excellent pliability and handling characteristics. At 7 days it retains 42 – 76% tensile strength, 36 – 52% at 14 days and is essentially absorbed at 90 days. These characteristics make it very popular for subcuticular closure and soft tissue approximation. Available in undyed/clear or violet.

Monofilament:
Undyed (clear)
Dyed (violet)

In Vivo Strength Retention:
42-76% at 7 days
36-52% at 14 days

Mass Absorption:
Essentially complete by 90 days

Common Uses:
General Closure
OB/Gyn
Urology
Gastrointestinal

(Polygycolic acid)

The extraordinarily smooth, low friction proprietary coating reduces tissue
drag. These synthetic absorbable sutures ensure closure through the
critical wound healing period. They retain approximately 48% of their
high initial strength at 7 days and 0% of their strength at 14 days.
Available as undyed or violet braided and violet monofilament.

Braided:
Undyed (clear)
Coated
Dyed (violet)

In Vivo Strength Retention:
48% at 7 days
0% at 14 days

Mass Absorption:
Essentially complete between 49 and 63 days

Common Uses:
General Closure
OB/Gyn
Urology

(Polydioxanone)

This synthetic absorbable monofilament indicated for use in general soft tissue approximation and/or ligation but not for use in cardiovascular or neurological tissues, microsurgery or ophthalmic surgery. At 14 days it retains 80 – 90% tensile strength, 60 – 82% at 28 days, 47 -79% at 42 days and essentially absorbed between 180 and 220 days. Available in dyed (violet).

Monofilament:
Dyed (violet)

In Vivo Strength Retention:
80% to 90% at 14 days
60% to 82% at 28 days
47% to 79% at 42 days

Mass Absorption:
Essentially complete between 180 and 220 days

Common Uses:
Plastic Surgery
Orthopedic
OB/Gyn
Gastrointestinal

The extraordinarily smooth, low friction proprietary coating reduces tissue drag. These synthetic absorbable sutures ensure closure through the critical wound healing period. They retain approximately 50% of their high initial strength at two weeks and 20% of their strength at three weeks. Available as undyed or violet braided and violet monofilament.

Braided:
Undyed (clear)
Dyed (violet)

Monofilament (9-0 & 10-0 only):
Undyed (clear)
Dyed (violet)
Coated & Uncoated

In Vivo Strength Retention:
50% at 14 days
20% at 21 days

Mass Absorption:
Essentially complete between 50 and 90 days.

Common Uses:
Skin Closure
OB/Gyn
Urology
Gastrointestinal

The monofilament Nylon is a polyamide suture with characteristic high tensile strength. The uniform smooth surface permits easy passage through tissue. Available in black, blue and clear.

Monofilament:
Undyed (clear)
Dyed (blue)(black)
Packaged Dry or in Wetting Solution

Quality:
Passes easily through tissue

Common Uses:
General & Skin Closure
Plastic Surgery
Ophthalmology
Microsurgery
Cardiovascular surgery
Gastrointestinal

Inert, smooth, and easy to handle and knot securely, Polypropylene is our most versatile monofilament suture. Tensile strength is superior to other true monofilaments. In addition, a unique extruding technique ensures a uniformly round cross section and a strand that passes easily through tissue with better knot security with less throws.

Monofilament:
Dyed (blue)

Qualities:
Inert
Easy to handle
Passes easily through tissue

Common Uses:
General & Skin Closure
Neurosurgery
Plastic Surgery
Ophthalmology
Microsurgery
Cardiovascular Surgery

(Poly ethylene-terephthate)

The fine braiding of Polyester gives this material an excellent smoothness. Easy to handle, its uniform surface minimizes trauma. Its high strength and good knot security provide long-term wound support. Available in green and white.

Braided:
Undyed (white)
Dyed (green)
Uncoated

Qualities:
Smooth
Easy to handle
Good knot security

Common Uses:
General & Skin Closure
Plastic Surgery
Ophthalmology
Cardiovascular Surgery
Neurological Procedures

The fine braiding of Polyester gives this material an excellent smoothness. Easy to handle, its uniform surface minimizes trauma. Its high strength and good knot security provide long-term wound support. Available in green and white.

Braided:
Undyed (white)
Dyed (green)
Coated

Qualities:
Smooth
Easy to handle
Good knot security

Common Uses:
General & Skin Closure
Plastic Surgery
Ophthalmology
Neurological Procedures

Noncapillary Silk has excellent handling and tying characteristics. Modern braiding technique provides a uniform smooth surface and a greater tensile strength. Available in black and white.

Braided:
Undyed (white)
Dyed (black)
Coated

Qualities:
Excellent handling & tying characteristics

Common Uses:
General & Skin Closure
Gastrointestinal
Plastic Surgery
Ophthalmology

The fine braiding of Polyester gives this material an excellent smoothness. Easy to handle, its uniform surface minimizes trauma. Its high strength and good knot security provide long-term wound support. Available in green and white.

Monofilament:
Undyed (White)

Quality:
Soft and supple material
Excellent handling and knot security
Minimal package memory

Common Uses:
Dental Surgery
General Surgery