Suture Materials
Suture Materials
Undesired tissue reactivity is greater with:
- Multifilament (compared to monofilament)
- Larger suture gauge
- Natural material (compared to synthetic)
Absorbable Sutures
Surgical Gut
Effective Support: 8-9 days
Complete Absorption: 30 days
Rarely used. High tissue reactivity.
Chromic Gut
Effective Support: 10-21 days
Complete Absorption: >90 days
Gut treated with chromium to decrease tissue reactivity and slow absorption.
Fast Absorbing Gut
Effective Support: 5-7 days
Complete Absorption: 14-28 days
Gut treated with heat to speed absorption.
Polyglac (Vicryl)
Effective Support: 21 days
Complete Absorption: 90 days
Less reactive than gut. Synthetic.
Vicryl Rapide
Effective Support: 10 days
Complete Absorption: 42 days
Gamma-irradiated to speed absorption.
Non-Absorbable Sutures
Silk
Tensile Strength: Low
Tissue Reactivity: High
Multifilament, pliable.
Nylon (Ethilon)
Tensile Strength: High
Tissue Reactivity: Low
Monofilament, stiff.
Polypropylene (Prolene)
Tensile Strength: Moderate
Tissue Reactivity: Very low
Monofilament, less knot security because slippery (may need extra throw in knot).
Suture Removal Timeframes
| Body Part | # of Days After Suturing |
|---|---|
| Face | 3-5 |
| Scalp | 7 |
| Chest, extremities | 7-10 |
| High tension areas, back | 10-14 |
