Absorbable Sutures

Surgical gut, plain: Tensile strength is maintained for 7-10 days

Surgical gut, chromic: Tensile strength is maintained for 10-14 days

Polyglactin 910 (Vicryl): Tensile strength is approximately 65% at 14 days

Poliglecaprone 25 (Monocryl): Tensile strength is high initially, 50-60% at 7 days

Polydioxanone (PDS II): Tensile strength is 70% at 14 days



Nonabsorbable sutures

Surgical silk: Tensile strength is 50% in 6 months

Nylon: Tensile strength at 1 year is 72%

Polypropylene (Prolene): Tensile strength for up to 2 years



Suture Selection

Nonabsorbable suture in skin, fascia, and tendons (slowly healing tissues), while mucosal wounds (rapidly healing tissues) may be closed with absorbable sutures

Monofilament sutures are generally preferable in potentially contaminated tissues. Use the smallest inert monofilament suture materials, such as nylon or polypropylene, in this setting

Suture size is generally the smallest size necessary to achieve the desired tension-free closure