Absorbable Sutures

   
 
Table 6-16 Absorbable Sutures
 SutureStructureTensile
Strength
Absorption
Complete
Knot
Security
HandlingTissue
Reactivity
Comments
 
Plain gut
Multifilament

Twisted
 Low 60–70 days Poor Poor High  
 
Chromic gut
Multifilament

Twisted
 Low 80 days Poor Poor High  
 
Polyglycolic
acid
(Dexon)
Multifilament

Braided
 Good

30% @
3 wks
 90 days Good Good Low  
 
Polyglactin
910
(Vicryl)
Multifilament

Braided
 High

50% @
3 wks
 90 days Good Good Low  
      
     
  Copolymer of glycolide + L-lactide  
     
     
  
 
Polydioxanone
(PDS)
Monofilament
 High

50% @ 4 wks
 180 days Poor Poor Low 
High tension areas
 
Glycolic acid
(Maxon)
Monofilament
 High

60% @ 4 wks
 180 days Good Good Low 
High tension areas
      
     
  Polytrimethylene carbonate  
     
     
   
 
Poliglecaprone
25
(Monocryl)
Monofilament
 High

70% @ 1 wks, 30% by
2 wks
 90–120 days Good Good Low 
Highest
initial tensile strength
      
     
  Highest initial knot security and tensile strength  
     
     
 
 
Glycomer
631
(Biosyn)
Monofilament
 Good

40% @ 3 wks
 90–110 days Poor Good Low 
High tension areas