Vicryl is one of the most recognised names in surgical suturing — but what exactly is it, what is it made of, and when should it be used? This guide explains Vicryl suture in plain terms for procurement teams, surgical staff and anyone sourcing absorbable sutures.
VICRYL® is a brand of absorbable surgical suture manufactured by Ethicon (a Johnson & Johnson company). It is a synthetic, braided, coated absorbable suture made from a material called polyglactin 910. Because it is absorbed by the body over a predictable period, it is widely used for internal tissue closure where a second procedure to remove the suture would be impractical.
What is Vicryl made of?
Vicryl is made from polyglactin 910, a copolymer of glycolide and lactide. The strands are braided together to form a multifilament suture, then coated to improve handling. The coating — a combination of polyglactin 370 and calcium stearate — reduces tissue drag and gives the suture a smooth pass and secure knot tie-down.
Being braided, Vicryl handles and ties much like silk, which many surgeons find familiar and predictable. Being synthetic and absorbable, it avoids the variability of natural materials and disappears once healing is underway.
How long does Vicryl take to absorb?
Vicryl is broken down by hydrolysis — water gradually splits the polymer chains. Tensile strength is lost progressively: roughly 75% remains at two weeks and about 50% at three weeks, with the suture providing meaningful wound support for around three to four weeks. Complete absorption of the material typically occurs in approximately 56 to 70 days.
A faster-absorbing variant, Vicryl Rapide, loses strength and absorbs more quickly and is used for superficial, fast-healing tissue. Standard Vicryl remains the everyday choice when a few weeks of support is needed.
Vicryl vs. Vicryl Plus: what is the difference?
VICRYL Plus is standard Vicryl with an added triclosan antibacterial coating. Triclosan inhibits bacterial colonisation of the suture itself, which is why many teams select Vicryl Plus for procedures where reducing the risk of surgical-site infection is a priority. Mechanically it behaves like standard Vicryl; the difference is the antibacterial surface.
What is Vicryl used for?
Because it combines reliable handling with predictable absorption, Vicryl is a true general-purpose suture. Common applications include:
- Soft-tissue approximation and ligation across many specialties.
- Gynaecological and obstetric closure.
- Gastrointestinal and urological procedures.
- Subcutaneous and deep dermal layers (with Vicryl or Vicryl Rapide depending on the timeframe).
- Ophthalmic and oral surgery in finer gauges.
It is generally not used where permanent support is required — for those cases a non-absorbable suture such as Prolene or Nylon (Ethilon) is more appropriate.
Vicryl suture sizes and needles
Vicryl is supplied across a wide range of USP gauges — from heavier sizes such as 1 and 0 down to very fine 5-0, 6-0 and beyond — and in many needle configurations (taper-point, cutting, reverse-cutting) and lengths. Selecting the right combination depends on the tissue, the depth of closure and surgeon preference. You can review representative references on our Vicryl Sutures category page or our full product catalogue.
Advantages and considerations
Key advantages of Vicryl include predictable absorption, excellent and familiar handling, secure knots, and broad procedural versatility. As a braided material it does carry more capillarity than a monofilament, so in heavily contaminated fields some surgeons prefer a monofilament alternative — and Vicryl Plus is often chosen specifically to address infection-risk concerns.
In practice, the combination of dependable strength retention, smooth handling and full absorption is what makes Vicryl such a common default on the surgical shelf. For procurement teams it is also one of the most frequently requested references, which is why keeping reliable access to genuine Vicryl and Vicryl Plus stock — across the gauges and needle types your surgeons use — is worth getting right.
Is Vicryl suture safe?
Vicryl has a long, well-established clinical track record across virtually every surgical specialty. As a synthetic material it produces only a mild, transient inflammatory response as it absorbs, and its breakdown products are metabolised by the body. As with any suture, safety in practice depends on correct selection for the tissue and indication, sound surgical technique, and using genuine, in-date product with intact sterile packaging — which is exactly why batch traceability and proper documentation matter so much in medical procurement.
How to source genuine Vicryl sutures
For procurement teams, the priorities are simple: genuine product, full batch and expiry documentation, and a fast, accurate quote. OGT Medical Supply is an independent distributor that supplies genuine Ethicon Vicryl and Vicryl Plus references with lot traceability on every order. Browse the Vicryl category, send your reference list through our quote request form, or contact our sourcing team directly — we respond within one business day.
Frequently asked questions
Is Vicryl an absorbable or non-absorbable suture?
Vicryl is an absorbable suture. It is broken down by hydrolysis and fully absorbed in roughly 56–70 days, so it does not normally need to be removed.
Does Vicryl need to be removed?
No. Because it absorbs on its own, Vicryl is typically used for internal or buried closure that does not require suture removal. Superficial skin sutures that need removal usually use a non-absorbable material instead.
How long does Vicryl hold its strength?
Vicryl provides useful wound support for about three to four weeks, retaining roughly half its tensile strength at three weeks before continuing to absorb.
What is the difference between Vicryl and Monocryl?
Both are absorbable, but Vicryl is a braided multifilament with absorption around 56–70 days, while Monocryl is a smooth monofilament that absorbs over roughly 90–120 days and is often chosen for subcuticular skin closure.
Is Vicryl the same as Vicryl Plus?
They are mechanically the same suture; Vicryl Plus simply adds a triclosan antibacterial coating to help reduce bacterial colonisation of the suture.
What colour is Vicryl suture?
Vicryl is available undyed (natural) and dyed violet for better visibility against tissue. The choice is usually down to the procedure and surgeon preference — both are the same underlying polyglactin 910 material.
This article is general educational information, not clinical guidance. Product selection is the responsibility of the treating clinician.