Question 1

What are surgical sutures?

Accepted Answer

Surgical sutures are sterile medical devices used to approximate (bring together) tissue edges following surgery, trauma, or injury. They provide mechanical support while the body's natural healing processes restore tissue integrity. Sutures have been used for thousands of years — ancient Egyptian papyri describe their use as early as 3000 BC. Modern sutures are precision-manufactured from synthetic polymers or natural materials, attached to swaged (eyeless) needles, and sterilized by ethylene oxide or gamma irradiation for single-use application.

Question 2

What are sutures made of?

Accepted Answer

Surgical sutures are made from a range of natural and synthetic materials. Synthetic absorbable materials include polyglycolic acid (PGA), polydioxanone (PDO), polyglycolic-co-caprolactone (PGCL), and PLLA-PCL copolymers. Non-absorbable synthetics include polypropylene (PP), polyamide (nylon), and polyester. Natural materials include silk (braided from silkworm fibers) and linen (from flax). Stainless steel (316L grade) is used where maximum tensile strength is required, such as sternal closure. Each material offers a distinct profile of strength, handling, absorption behavior, and tissue reactivity.

Question 3

What is the difference between absorbable and non-absorbable sutures?

Accepted Answer

Absorbable sutures degrade and are eliminated by the body over time — synthetic types through hydrolysis, natural types through enzymatic action. They do not require removal and are used where temporary tissue support is sufficient. Non-absorbable sutures resist degradation and remain in tissue indefinitely. External non-absorbable sutures (skin closure) must be removed at follow-up, typically 5–14 days post-operatively. Internal non-absorbable sutures are left permanently in place, providing lifelong mechanical support where tissue cannot sustain physiological loads independently — for example, vascular anastomoses or tendon repair.

Question 4

How are sutures sized?

Accepted Answer

Sutures are sized using the United States Pharmacopeia (USP) system, which is the international standard. The scale runs from 12-0 (smallest, approximately 0.001 mm diameter) to size 7 (largest). The '0' notation indicates diameter: 4-0 (four zeros) is finer than 2-0 (two zeros). Size 0 is the baseline; sizes 1 through 7 indicate progressively larger diameters. As a practical reference: ophthalmic procedures use 8-0 to 10-0 sutures, fine facial work uses 5-0 to 6-0, general soft tissue closure uses 2-0 to 3-0, and fascial or orthopedic closure uses 0 to 2.

Question 5

How are surgical sutures sterilized?

Accepted Answer

The two primary sterilization methods for surgical sutures are ethylene oxide (EO) gas sterilization and gamma irradiation. Ethylene oxide is a chemical sterilant applied in a controlled chamber; it is effective across all suture materials and preserves mechanical properties. Gamma irradiation uses ionizing radiation and is fast and penetrating, but can alter polymer chemistry in some materials — particularly natural fibers. All Desmo Care suture products are sterilized using validated methods compliant with ISO 11135 (EO) or ISO 11137 (gamma irradiation) and are supplied as single-use sterile devices.

Question 6

How long do absorbable sutures take to dissolve?

Accepted Answer

Dissolution (absorption) timelines vary significantly by material. Fast-absorbing PGA sutures such as DesmoNex Rapid complete absorption in approximately 42 days. Standard PGA sutures (DesmoNex) absorb in 60–90 days. PGCL monofilament (DesmoCryl) absorbs in 180–210 days despite losing tensile strength in 21–28 days. PDO monofilament (DesmoPol) absorbs in 180–210 days. PLLA-PCL copolymer (DesmoCapro) requires 12–18 months for complete mass absorption. Note that functional tensile strength is lost well before complete absorption — clinicians should match the strength retention profile, not the absorption timeline, to the procedure.

Question 7

What is PGA suture?

Accepted Answer

PGA (polyglycolic acid) suture is a synthetic absorbable suture made from a homopolymer of glycolic acid. It is degraded by hydrolysis in 60–90 days with complete mass absorption. PGA is typically manufactured as a braided, coated suture offering excellent handling and knot security. Desmo Care's DesmoNex is a PGA suture retaining 75% of tensile strength at 2 weeks and 40% at 3 weeks — comparable to Ethicon Vicryl. Absorbex is a high-strength PGA formulation retaining 70% strength at 2 weeks, designed for demanding tissue approximation such as fascial closure.

Question 8

What is PDO suture?

Accepted Answer

PDO (polydioxanone) suture is a synthetic absorbable monofilament suture. Its extended strength retention profile — maintaining up to 50% tensile strength at 6 weeks and approximately 25% at 12 weeks — makes it suitable for slow-healing tissues including fascial layers, cardiovascular applications in pediatric surgery, and orthopedic soft tissue repair. Complete absorption occurs in 180–210 days. Desmo Care's DesmoPol is a PDO monofilament suture. Its monofilament structure means minimal tissue drag and resistance to bacterial wicking, while its compliance accommodates wound edema without cutting tissue.

Question 9

What is the strongest absorbable suture?

Accepted Answer

Among synthetic absorbable sutures, tensile strength varies by material and construction. Desmo Care's Absorbex — a PGA suture coated with Glycomer 370 — retains 70% of initial tensile strength at 2 weeks, placing it among the highest-strength short-term absorbable options. For extended strength retention, DesmoCapro (PLLA-PCL) maintains 80% strength at 90 days and is the strongest option at 3 months. For a practical comparison: PGA products provide the highest initial strength; PLLA-PCL products provide the longest-lasting strength. The 'strongest' suture depends on whether the priority is immediate or sustained tensile strength.

Question 10

When should non-absorbable sutures be used?

Accepted Answer

Non-absorbable sutures are indicated when permanent or long-term mechanical support is required. Key scenarios include: cardiovascular surgery (vascular anastomoses and valve repair, where hemodynamic stress is permanent); orthopedic surgery (tendon and ligament reattachment, where the repair must withstand repetitive mechanical loading); sternal closure after median sternotomy (stainless steel wire sutures); hernia mesh fixation (permanent attachment to abdominal wall); and percutaneous skin closure (sutures are placed temporarily and removed at 5–14 days post-operatively, depending on wound location).

Question 11

What is polypropylene suture used for?

Accepted Answer

Polypropylene suture is the standard material for cardiovascular anastomoses. Its key properties for this application are: chemical inertness (no degradation over decades of implantation), permanent tensile strength, monofilament structure (which minimizes thrombogenicity and resists bacterial wicking), and low tissue reactivity. Desmo Care's DesmoMid is a polypropylene monofilament suture available in sizes from 2/0 to 7/0, comparable to Ethicon Prolene. Beyond cardiovascular use, polypropylene is used for skin closure, hernia repair, and general soft tissue approximation where permanent suture is preferred.

Question 12

Are silk sutures still used in modern surgery?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Despite the proliferation of synthetic alternatives, silk sutures remain in active clinical use. Their exceptional handling properties — pliability, ease of knot tying, and tactile feedback — make them the preferred choice for surgeons in oral surgery, ophthalmic surgery, and general gastrointestinal procedures. Silk's braided structure provides superior knot security with minimal slippage. The main limitations are higher tissue reactivity compared to synthetics and gradual strength loss over 6–12 months in vivo. Desmo Care's DesmoSilk is a black braided silk suture available in a full USP size range for these applications.

Question 13

How do I choose between braided and monofilament sutures?

Accepted Answer

The primary trade-off is handling versus infection resistance. Braided sutures offer superior handling and knot security, making them preferred for general tissue approximation, bowel anastomosis, and oral/ophthalmic surgery. Monofilament sutures pass through tissue with less drag and resist bacterial wicking (capillarity), making them preferable in contaminated fields, cardiovascular surgery, and any setting where infection risk is elevated. For a comprehensive comparison of clinical scenarios, materials, and Desmo Care product recommendations, see the full Braided vs Monofilament guide.

Question 14

What suture should I use for skin closure?

Accepted Answer

Skin closure suture selection depends on anatomical location, patient factors, and desired outcome. For interrupted percutaneous closure: non-absorbable monofilament (polypropylene or nylon) provides excellent cosmesis and is removed at 5–14 days. For subcuticular closure: absorbable monofilament (DesmoCryl in PGCL or DesmoPol in PDO) eliminates removal visits and avoids suture marks. For rapid-absorption skin closure in pediatric patients or perineal repair: DesmoNex Rapid or DesmoCryl Rapid provides adequate support with fast absorption (42 days). Deep dermal closure with 3-0 or 4-0 PGA (DesmoNex) before skin closure improves wound edge approximation and reduces tension on the surface layer.

Question 15

Can I mix different suture types in one procedure?

Accepted Answer

Yes — layered closure using different suture types is standard surgical practice. A typical abdominal closure might use absorbable PGA (DesmoNex, 1 or 0) for the fascial layer, absorbable PDO (DesmoPol, 2-0) for subcutaneous tissue, and either non-absorbable polypropylene (DesmoMid, 3-0) for interrupted skin closure or absorbable PGCL (DesmoCryl, 3-0) for subcuticular skin closure. Each layer is matched to its specific mechanical requirements, healing rate, and the consequences of suture failure at that anatomical level.

Question 16

What certifications do Desmo Care sutures have?

Accepted Answer

Desmo Care sutures are manufactured under an ISO 13485:2016 certified quality management system — the international standard for medical device manufacturing. All products carry CE marking under EU MDR 2017/745, confirming conformity with European medical device safety and performance requirements. Desmo Care is also FDA registered, enabling distribution in the United States market. Individual product compliance includes sterility validation per ISO 11135/11137, biocompatibility testing per ISO 10993, and performance testing per applicable ISO and ASTM standards for surgical sutures.

Question 17

How do Desmo Care sutures compare to Ethicon?

Accepted Answer

Desmo Care sutures are manufactured to the same polymer chemistries and performance specifications as Ethicon market leaders: DesmoNex (PGA) is the cross-reference for Vicryl; DesmoPol (PDO) for PDS II; DesmoCryl (PGCL) for Monocryl; DesmoMid (polypropylene) for Prolene; and DesmoSilk for Ethicon Silk. Both brands are CE marked and FDA registered. Desmo Care products are available at competitive pricing for high-volume institutional procurement. For a detailed side-by-side specification comparison, use the Desmo Care Cross-Reference Tool.

Question 18

How can I request free samples?

Accepted Answer

Healthcare professionals and procurement teams can request free product samples through the Desmo Care contact page. Samples are available for all suture product lines and can be provided in specific USP sizes and needle configurations relevant to your procedures. Desmo Care's technical team is also available to discuss specific clinical requirements and recommend appropriate product specifications. Sample requests are typically fulfilled within 5–10 business days for international shipments.

Surgical Sutures FAQ: Everything Healthcare Professionals Need to Know

General Questions

Absorbable Sutures

Non-Absorbable Sutures

Selection & Usage

Desmo Care Specific

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