Degradation and tissue reactivity related to where implanted; knots imbibe fluid and unravel if knot ears are cut short
Polyglactin 910
Vicryl Rapide
Rapid absorbable multifilament
Hydrolysis
Mild
50% after 5 d; 0% after 14 d
Fair to good
42
Irradiated to aid in dissolving
Vicryl, Coated Vicryl Plus
Intermediate absorbable multifilament
Hydrolysis
Mild
75% after 14 d; 50% after 21 d
Fair to good
56–70
Plus designates triclosan (antibacterial) impregnated
Lactomer
Polysorb (coated)
Intermediate absorbable multifilament
Hydrolysis
Mild
80% after 14 d; 30% after 21 d
Fair to good
56–70
Improvements in braid construction and coating reduce drag and improve knot security
Velosorb (coated)
Rapid absorbable multifilament
Hydrolysis
Mild
60% at 5 d; 0% at 14 d
Fair to good
40–50
Irradiated to aid in dissolving; similar to Vicryl Rapide
Polyglycolic Acid
Dexon S (uncoated), Dexon II (coated)
Intermediate absorbable multifilament
Hydrolysis
Mild
65% after 14 d; 35% after 21 d
Fair to good
60–90
Coated Dexon II helps reduce drag, but decreases knot security
Polyglytone 6211
Caprosyn
Rapid to intermediate absorbable monofilament
Hydrolysis
Minimal
60% after 5 d; 20–30% after 10 d
Fair
56
Knots have been known to untie spontaneously when incubated in serum; supple easy to handle for monofilament; fastest mass absorption of absorbable monofilaments
Polygliocaprone 25
Monocryl
Rapid to intermediate absorbable monofilament
Hydrolysis
Minimal
50–60% after 7 d; 20–30% after 14 d; 0% after 21 d
Good
91–119
Supple easy to handle for monofilament.
Polyglycolic Acid/Polycaprolactone
Quill Monoderm
Intermediate absorbable monofilament barbed
Hydrolysis
Slight
42–76% at 7 d; 36–52% at 14 d
N/A
90–120
Uni‐ and bidirectional barbed suture; choose one size larger due to strength loss from barbs. Slightly higher tissue reaction than V‐Loc 90.
Stratafix PGA‐PCL Plus (barbed)
Rapid to intermediate absorbable monofilament barbed
Hydrolysis
Minimal
50–60% after 7 d; 20–30% after 14 d; 0% after 21 d
N/A
90–120
Stratafix Monocryl comes with spiral barbs; uni‐ or bidirectional. Plus – antibacterial
Glycomer 631
Biosyn
Intermediate absorbable monofilament
Hydrolysis
Minimal
75% after 14 d; 40% after 21 d
Average
110
Knots occasionally untie spontaneously
V‐Loc 90
Intermediate absorbable monofilament barbed
Hydrolysis
Minimal
90% at 7 d; 75% at 14 d
N/A
90
Unidirectional barbed suture; equivalent to strength of suture one size smaller – choose size as you would conventional suture
Polyglyconate
Maxon
Prolonged absorbable monofilament
Hydrolysis
Minimal
81% after 14 d; 59% after 28 d; 30% after 42 d
Good
180
Similar to PDS II; tends to have slightly more memory in larger sizes
Polydioxanone
PDS II; PDS Plus
Prolonged absorbable monofilament
Hydrolysis
Minimal
74% after 14 d; 58% after 28 d; 41% after 42 d
Good
180
Plus designates triclosan (antibacterial) impregnated
