Materials Guide

Gut

Compares to Ethicon™ Surgical Gut Suture - Plain/Chromic and Syneture™ Plain Gut/Chromic Gut

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 Dry or in Wetting Solution

Common Uses:

  • General Closure
  • OB/Gyn
  • Urology
  • Bowel Anastomosis

In Vivo Strength Retention: 

  • Varies

Mass Absorption:

  • Varies depending upon type of suture (plain vs. chromic) and site of placement

Chromic Gut

Compares to Ethicon™ Surgical Gut Suture - Plain/Chromic and Syneture™ Plain Gut/Chromic Gut

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 & Chromic
  • Packaged Dry or in Wetting Solution

Common Uses:

  • General Closure
  • OB/Gyn
  • Urology
  • Bowel Anastomosis

In Vivo Strength Retention:

  • Varies

Mass Absorption:

  • Varies depending upon type of suture (plain vs. chromic) and site of placement

Monoderm™ (polyglycolic acid and e-caprolactone)

Comparable to Monocryl™ and Caprosyn™

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)

Common Uses: 

  • General Closure
  • OB/Gyn
  • Urology
  • Gastrointestinal

In Vivo Strength Retention: 

  • 42-76% at 7 days
  • 36-52% at 14 days

Mass Absorption:

  • Essentially complete by 90 days

Polysyn Fa™ (Polyglycolic acid)

Comparable to VICRYL RAPIDE™ and Velosorb™ Fast

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

Common Uses: 

  • General Closure
  • OB/Gyn
  • Urology

In Vivo Strength Retention: 

  • 48% at 7 days
  • 0% at 14 days

Mass Absorption:

  • Essentially complete between 49 and 63 days

PDO (polydioxanone)

Compares to PDS II™

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)

Common Uses:

  • Plastic Surgery
  • Orthopedic
  • OB/Gyn
  • Gastrointestinal

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

Polysyn™ (polyglycolic acid)

Comparable to VICRYL™ and Polysorb™/Dexon™

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

Common Uses: 

  • Skin Closure
  • OB/Gyn
  • Urology
  • Gastrointestinal

In Vivo Strength Retention: 

  • 50% at 14 days
  • 20% at 21 days

Mass Absorption:

  • Essentially complete between 50 and 90 days.

Nylon

Ethilon™ and Monosof™/Dermalon™

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

Common uses: 

  • General & Skin Closure
  • Plastic Surgery
  • Ophthalmology
  • Microsurgery
  • Cardiovascular surgery
  • Gastrointestinal

Quality: 

  • Passes easily through tissue

Polypropylene

Comparable to Prolene™ and Surgipro™/Surgilene™

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)

Common Uses:

  • General & Skin Closure
  • Neurosurgery
  • Plastic Surgery
  • Ophthalmology
  • Microsurgery
  • Cardiovascular Surgery

Qualities:

  • Inert
  • Easy to handle
  • Passes easily through tissue

Polyviolene (Uncoated) (poly ethylene-terephthatate)

Comparable to Mersilene™ and Surgidac™

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

Common Uses: 

  • General & Skin Closure
  • Plastic Surgery
  • Ophthalmology
  • Cardiovascular Surgery
  • Neurological Procedures

Qualities: 

  • Smooth
  • Easy to handle
  • Good knot security

Polyviolene XL(Coated)

Compares to ETHIBOND™ and Tri-Cron™

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

Common Uses: 

  • General & Skin Closure
  • Plastic Surgery
  • Cardiovascular Surgery
  • Ophthalmology
  • Neurological Procedures

Qualities:

  • Smooth
  • Easy to handle
  • Good knot security

Silk

Compares to Permahand Silk™ and Sofsilk™

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

Common Uses: 

  • General & Skin Closure
  • Gastrointestinal
  • Cardiovascular Surgery
  • Plastic Surgery
  • Ophthalmology

Qualities: 

  • Excellent handling & tying characteristics

PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene)

This synthetic non-absorbable monofilament composed of high-density polytetraflouroethylene (PTFE). It is indicated for use in all types of soft tissue approximation and/or ligation, including dental and general surgery. This suture is not absorbed, nor is any significant change in tensile strength retention known to occur. This suture is provided undyed (White).

Monofilament:

  • Undyed (White)

Common Uses:

  • Dental Surgery
  • General Surgery

Quality:

  • Soft and supple material
  • Excellent handling and knot security
  • Minimal package memory