Suture Characteristics
| Suture Type | Material | Absorbability | Tensile Strength | Common Dermatology Uses | Additional Characteristics |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nylon (Ethilon) | Synthetic | Non-absorbable | High | Skin closure, facial lacerations | Monofilament, low tissue reactivity, easy removal |
| Polypropylene (Prolene) | Synthetic | Non-absorbable | High | Skin closure, especially in areas with tension | Monofilament, minimal tissue reactivity, blue color for visibility |
| Plain Gut | Natural | Absorbable | Low | Temporary skin sutures, mucosal surfaces | Twisted, absorbed in 70 days, higher tissue reaction |
| Polyglactin 910 (Vicryl) | Synthetic | Absorbable | Moderate | Subcuticular closure, deeper layers | Braided, absorbed in 56-70 days, good knot security |
| Poliglecaprone 25 (Monocryl) | Synthetic | Absorbable | High | Superficial skin closure, subcuticular sutures | Monofilament, absorbed in 91-119 days, minimal tissue reaction, excellent for cosmetic outcomes |
| Polydioxanone (PDS) | Synthetic | Absorbable | High | Subdermal sutures, high-tension areas | Monofilament, absorbed in 180-210 days, minimal scarring |
Key Terms:
- Absorbable: Sutures that are absorbed by the body over time, useful when no removal is desired.
- Non-absorbable: Sutures that need to be removed after healing.
- Tensile Strength: The resistance of the suture to breaking under stress.
- Monofilament: Single-strand sutures, reducing the risk of infection and scarring.
- Braided: Multi-strand sutures, providing better knot security but potentially more tissue reactivity.