The single most important question when picking a suture is simple: do you want the material to disappear on its own, or stay until you remove it? Everything else — material, gauge, needle — follows from that.
Surgical sutures fall into two broad families. Absorbable sutures are broken down by the body over a known period; non-absorbable sutures stay in place indefinitely until removed or left permanently. Choosing between them comes down to how long the tissue needs support and whether the suture can be retrieved later.
Absorbable sutures
Absorbable sutures lose tensile strength and are resorbed over days to months, so there is no need to bring the patient back for removal. They are the usual choice for internal tissue, fast-healing layers, and anywhere suture removal would be difficult.
- VICRYL (polyglactin 910) — braided, predictable absorption over several weeks; a workhorse for soft-tissue approximation.
- MONOCRYL (poliglecaprone 25) — monofilament, smooth passage, good for subcuticular closure.
- PDS II (polydioxanone) — monofilament with extended wound support for tissues that heal slowly.
- Plain & chromic gut — natural absorbable options where appropriate.
Non-absorbable sutures
Non-absorbable sutures keep their strength over time. They are used where lasting support matters — skin closure that will be removed later, tendon, vascular work, and other permanent repairs.
- PROLENE (polypropylene) — inert monofilament favoured for cardiovascular and plastic surgery.
- ETHILON (nylon) — monofilament commonly used for skin closure.
- ETHIBOND / MERSILENE (polyester) — braided strength for tendon and cardiac procedures.
- Silk — braided, easy to handle, often used for ligation and securing drains.
A quick decision checklist
- How long does the tissue need support? Short-term → absorbable; long-term or permanent → non-absorbable.
- Will the suture be removed? Internal/hard-to-reach → absorbable; external skin → often non-absorbable.
- Infection risk? Monofilament harbours fewer bacteria than braided in contaminated fields.
- Handling vs. memory? Braided ties more securely; monofilament glides but needs more throws.
Clinical choice always rests with the surgeon and the procedure. What we make easy is the sourcing — once you know the references you need, we confirm price, stock, batch data, and lead time within one business day.
This article is general educational information, not clinical guidance.