SUTURE TYPES

Question 1

• Monofilament, non–­absorbable, not coated
• Sizes 7 to 10–­0
• Mostly historical, can be used for trauma

Answer 1

Surgical Steel

Question 2

• Natural, braided, non–­absorbable
• Coated with beeswax
• Size 5 to 9–­0
• Not used often, mainly for plastic surgery and ophthalmology

Answer 2

Perma–­Hand (silk)

Question 3

• Synthetic, non–­absorbable, monofilament
• Sizes 2 to 11–­0
• Loses 20% of tension per year
• Skin closure

Answer 3

Ethilon (Nylon)

Question 4

• Synthetis, braided, non–­absorbable
• Coated with polybutilate
• Sizes 5 to 7–­0
• Good for fascia closures, ligament and tendon reconstruction

Answer 4

Ethibond (Polyester)

Question 5

• Synthetic, monofilament, non–­absorbable
○ Can be used if infection or secondary closure
• Not coated
• Sizes 2 to 10–­0
• Used a lot, for skin if wants non–­absorbable
• Hard to handle, slippy

Answer 5

Prolene (polypropylene)

Question 6

• Special non–­absorbable suture
• Braided poly blend
• Used for tendon to bone repair, can be used arthroscopically
• May not come attached to needle
• Expensive, silicone sheeting may cause inflammation or granuloma

Answer 6

Fiberwire

Question 7

• Natural monofilament
• Not coated
• Absorbed in 70 days
• Sizes 3 to 7–­0 or fast acting 5–­0 to 7–­0
• Used for tissues that heal very rapidly, not used often in podiatry

Answer 7

Plain Gut (CatGut)

Question 8

• Natural monofilament
• Absorbed in 90 days
• Sizes 3 to 7–­0
• Covered in chormic salts, otherwise is the same as plain gut

Answer 8

Chromic Gut

Question 9

• Synthetic, monofilament
• Not coated
• Sizes 1 to 6–­0
• Lasts 91 to 119 days
• Used a lot for skin closures

Answer 9

Monocryl (poliglecaprone 25)

Question 10

• Synthetic, braided
• Coated
• Sizes 3 to 10–­0
• Absorbed in 56–­70 days
• Used a lot, capsular, periosteal, subcutaneous, tends to be more reactive

Answer 10

Vicryl

Question 11

• Synthetic, monofilament
• Not coated
• Sizes 2 to 9–­0
• Absorption time 182 to 238 days
• Used to treat split tear of tendon, degenerative tendon

Answer 11

PDS II(polydioxanone)