Ethicon Surgical Sutures and Needles

Absorbable Sutures

Surgical Gut - Plain and Chromic Absorbable Sutures

• Type: Virtual Monofilament
• Raw Material: Composed of purified connective tissue (mostly collagen) derived from either the serosal layer of beef (bovine) or the submucosal fibrous layer of sheep (ovine) intestines. Chromic gut is processed to provide greater resistance to absorption
• Tensile Strength Retention in Vivo: Loss of tensile strength and loss of suture mass, as the proteolytic enzymatic digestive process dissolves the surgical gut. Many variable factors may affect the rate of absorption (see absorption rate).
• Absorption Rate: Surgical gut sutures is absorbed more rapidly in infected tissue than in non-infected tissue.  Surgical gut will absorb more rapidly in tissue where increased levels of proteolytic enzymes are present, as in the secretions exhibited in the stomach, cervix and vagina. Plain gut generally absorbs more rapidly than Chromic gut.
• Tissue Reaction: Moderate tissue inflammations occurs.
• Contra-Indications and Warnings: Being absorbable, should not be used where extended approximation of tissues under stress is required. Should not be used in patients with known sensitivities or allergies to collagen or chromium (Chromic).
• Frequent Uses: General soft tissue approximation and/or ligation, including use in ophthalmic procedures. Not for use in cardiovascular or neurological tissues.

Click here to view our full range of Surgical Gut Sutures.

Click here to view the J&J Plain Gut Suture Catalogue and the J&J Chromic Gut Suture Catalogue.

COATED VICRYL®

• Type: Braided/Monofilament
• Raw Material: Polyglactin 910, a copolymer of lactide and glycolide coated with Polyglactin 370 and calcium stearate.
• Tensile Strength Retention in Vivo: Approximately 75% remains at 2 weeks. Approximately 50% remains at 3 weeks. Approximately 25% remains at 4 weeks.
• Absorption Rate: Minimal until about the 40th day. Essentially completebetween 56-70 days. Absorbed by slow hydrolysis.
• Tissue Reaction:
• Contra-Indications and Warnings: Being absorbable should not be used where extended approximation of tissue is required.
• Frequent Uses: General soft tissue approximation and/or ligation, including use in ophthalmic procedures. Not for use in cardiovascular and neurological tissues.

Click here to view our full range of COATED VICRYL® Sutures

Click here to view the Coated Vicryl Suture Catalogue

COATED VICRYL® PLUS ANTIBACTERIAL SUTURE

• Type: Braided
• Raw Material: Polyglactin 910 coated with Polyglactin 370, calcium stearate and IRGACARE® MP (Triclosan).
• Tensile Strength Retention in Vivo: Approximately 75% remains at 2 weeks. Approximately 50% remains at 3 weeks. Approximately 25% remains at 4 weeks.
• Absorption Rate: Minimal until about the 40th day. Essentially complete between 56-70 days. Absorbed by slow hydrolysis.
• Tissue Reaction:
• Contra-Indications and Warnings: Being absorbable should not be used where extended approximation of tissue is required.Plus Antibacterial Sutures should not be used in patients with known allergic reactions to IRGACARE® MP (Triclosan)
• Frequent Uses: General soft tissue approximation and/or ligation, including use in ophthalmic procedures. Not for use in cardiovascular and neurological tissues.

Click here to view the Vicryl Plus Catalogue

COATED VICRYL® RAPIDE

• Type: Braided
• Raw Material: Polyglactin 910, a copolymer of lactide and glycolide coated with Polyglactin 370 and calcium stearate.
• Tensile Strength Retention in Vivo: Approximately 50% remains at 5 days. Lost within 10 -14 days.
• Absorption Rate: Minimal until about 14th day. Essentially complete by 42 days. Absorbed by slow hydrolysis.
• Tissue Reaction:
• Contra-Indications and Warnings: Due to rapid loss of tensile strength, should not be used where extended approximation of tissues under stress is required or where wound support beyond 7 days is required.
• Frequent Uses: Superficial soft tissue approximation of skin and mucosa only. Not for use in ligation, ophthalmic, cardiovascular or neurological procedures.

Click here to view our full range of Coated VICRYL® Rapide Sutures.

Click here to view the Vicryl Rapide Suture Catalogue

MONOCRYL®

• Type: Monofilament
• Raw Material: Poliglecaprone 25, a copolymer of glycolide and epsilon-caprolactone.
• Tensile Strength Retention in Vivo: Dyed: Approximately 60-70% remains at 1 week. Approximately 30-40% remains at 2 weeks. Lost within 4 weeks. Undyed: Approximately 50-60% remains at 1 week. Approximately 20-30% remains at 2 weeks. Lost within 3 weeks.
• Absorption Rate: Complete at 91-119 days. Absorbed by slow hydrolysis.
• Tissue Reaction:
• Contra-Indications and Warnings: Being absorbable, should not be used where extended approximation of tissues under stress is required. Undyed is not indicated for use in fascia.
• Frequent Uses: General soft tissue approximation and/or ligation. Not for use in cardiovascular or neurological tissues, microsurgery, or ophthalmic procedures.

Click here to view our full range of MONOCRYL® Sutures

Click Here to view the Monocryl Catalogue

MONOCRYL® PLUS ANTIBACTERIAL SUTURE

• Type: Monofilament
• Raw Material: Poliglecaprone 25, a copolymer of glycolide and epsilon-caprolactone with IRGACARE® MP (Triclosan)
• Tensile Strength Retention in Vivo: Dyed: Approximately 60-70% remains at 1 week. Approximately 30-40% remains at 2 weeks. Lost within 4 weeks. Undyed: Approximately 50-60% remains at 1 week. Approximately 20-30% remains at 2 weeks. Lost within 3 weeks.
• Absorption Rate: Complete at 91-119 days. Absorbed by slow hydrolysis.
• Tissue Reaction:
• Contra-Indications and Warnings: Being absorbable, should not be used where extended approximation of tissues under stress is required. Undyed is not indicated for use in fascia. Plus Antibacterial Sutures should not be used in patients with known allergic reactions to IRGACARE® MP (Triclosan)
• Frequent Uses: General soft tissue approximation and/or ligation. Not for use in cardiovascular or neurological tissues, microsurgery, or ophthalmic procedures.

Click here to view the Monocryl Plus Catalogue

PDS™ II

• Type: Monofilament
• Raw Material: Polydioxanone
• Tensile Strength Retention in Vivo:
  • 3/0 and larger: Approximately 80% remains at 2 weeks. Approximately 70% remains at 4 weeks. Approximately 60% remains at 6 weeks.
  • 4/0 and smaller:Approximately 60% remains at 2 weeks. Approximately 40% remains at 4 weeks. Approximately 35% remains at 6 weeks.
• Absorption Rate: Minimal until about the 90th day. Essentially complete within 6 months. Absorbed by slow hydrolysis.
• Tissue Reaction:
• Contra-Indications and Warnings: Being absorbable, should not be used where extended approximation of tissue under stress is required. Should not be used with prosthetic devices, such as heart valves or synthetic grafts. Safety and effectiveness in neural and cardiovascular tissue has not been established.
• Frequent Uses: All types of soft tissue approximation, including paediatric cardiovascular and ophthalmic procedures. Not for use inadult cardiovascular tissue, microsurgery or neural tissue.

Click here to see our full range of PDS™ II Sutures

Click here to view the PDS Suture Catalogue

PDS™ II PLUS ANTIBACTERIAL SUTURE

• Type: Monofilament
• Raw Material: Polydioxanone with IRGACARE® MP (Triclosan)
• Tensile Strength Retention in Vivo:
  • 3/0 and larger: Approximately 80% remains at 2 weeks. Approximately 70%  remains at 4 weeks. Approximately 60% remains at 6 weeks.
  • 4/0 and smaller:  Approximately 60% remains at 2 weeks. Approximately 40% remains at 4 weeks. Approximately 35% remains at 6 weeks.
• Absorption Rate: Minimal until about the 90th day. Essentially complete within 6 months. Absorbed by slow hydrolysis.
• Tissue Reaction:
• Contra-Indications and Warnings: Being absorbable, should not be used where extended approximation of tissue under stress is required. Should not be used with prosthetic devices, such as heart valves or synthetic grafts. Safety and effectiveness in neural and cardiovascular tissue has not been established.  Plus Antibacterial Sutures should not be used in patients with known allergic reactions to IRGACARE® MP (Triclosan)
• Frequent Uses: All types of soft tissue approximation, including paediatric cardiovascular and ophthalmic procedures. Not for use in adult cardiovascular tissue, microsurgery or neural tissue.

Click here to view the PDS Plus Catalogue

NON-ABSORBABLE SUTURES

SURGICAL SILK

• Type: Braided
• Raw Material: Organic protein called fibroin.
• Tensile Strength Retention in Vivo: Progressive degradation of fibre may result in gradual loss of tensile strength over time. Loses most strength within one year.
• Absorption Rate: Gradual encapsulation by fibrous connective tissue. Usually cannot be found after 2 years.
• Tissue Reaction:
• Contra-Indications and Warnings: Should not be used for placement of vascular prostheses and artificial heart valves. Should not be used in patients with known sensitivities or allergies to silk.
• Frequent Uses: General soft tissue approximation and/or ligation, including cardiovascular, ophthalmic and neurological procedures.

Click here to see our full range of Surgical Silk Sutures

Click here to view the Silk Suture Catalogue

SURGICAL STEEL

• Type: Monofilament/Braided
• Raw Material: 316L Stainless Steel.
• Tensile Strength Retention in Vivo:
• Absorption Rate: Non-absorbable.
• Tissue Reaction:
• Contra-Indications and Warnings: Should not be used when a prosthesis of another alloy is implanted. Should not be used in patients with known sensitivities or allergies to stainless steel, or constituent metals such as chromium and nickel.
• Frequent Uses: Sternal closure and orthopaedic procedures including tendon repair.

Click here to view the Surgical Stainless Steel Suture Catalogue

ETHILON®

• Type: Monofilament
• Raw Material: Nylon 6 or Nylon 6,6
• Tensile Strength Retention in Vivo: Progressive hydrolysis may result in gradual loss of tensile strength over time.
• Absorption Rate: Gradual encapsulation by fibrous connective tissue. Loses strength at a rate of 15-20% per year.
• Tissue Reaction: Extremely low.
• Contra-Indications and Warnings: Should not be used where permanent retention of tensile strength is required.
• Frequent Uses: General soft tissue approximation and/or ligation, including use in cardiovascular, ophthalmic and neurological procedures.

Click here to see our full range of ETHILON® Sutures

Click here to view the Ethilon Catalogue

NUROLON®

• Type: Braided
• Raw Material: Nylon 6 or Nylon 6,6
• Tensile Strength Retention in Vivo: Progressive hydrolysis may result in gradual loss of tensile strength over time.
• Absorption Rate: Gradual encapsulation by fibrous connective tissue. Loses strengthat a rate of 15-20% per year.
• Tissue Reaction: Extremely low.
• Contra-Indications and Warnings: Should not be used where permanent retention of tensile strength is required.
• Frequent Uses: General soft tissue approximation and/or ligation, including use in cardiovascular, ophthalmic and neurological procedures.

Click here to view the Nurolon Catalogue

MERSILENE

• Type: Braided
• Raw Material:
• Tensile Strength Retention in Vivo: No significant change known to occur in vivo.
• Absorption Rate: Gradual encapsulation by fibrous connective tissue.
• Tissue Reaction:
• Contra-Indications and Warnings: None known.
• Frequent Uses: General soft tissue approximation and/or ligation, including use in cardiovascular, ophthalmic and neurological procedures.

Click here to view our full range of MERSILENE products

Click here to view the Mersilene Catalogue