Sutures are used by your doctor to close wounds to your skin or other tissues. When your doctor sutures a wound, they’ll use a needle attached to a length of “thread” to stitch the wound shut.
There are a variety of available materials that can be used for suturing. Your doctor will choose a material that’s appropriate for the wound or procedure.
Types of sutures
The different types of sutures can be classified in many ways.
First, suture material can be classified as either absorbable or nonabsorbable.
Absorbable sutures don’t require your doctor to remove them. This is because enzymes found in the tissues of your body naturally digest them.
Nonabsorbable sutures will need to be removed by your doctor at a later date or in some cases left in permanently.
Second, the suture material can be classified according to the actual structure of the material. Monofilament sutures consist of a single thread. This allows the suture to more easily pass through tissues. Braided sutures consist of several small threads braided together. This can lead to better security, but at the cost of increased potential for infection.
Third, sutures can be classified as either being made from natural or synthetic material. However, since all suture material is sterilized, this distinction is not particularly useful.
Types of absorbable sutures
Gut. This natural monofilament suture is used for repairing internal soft tissue wounds or lacerations. Gut shouldn’t be used for cardiovascular or neurological procedures. The body has the strongest reaction to this suture and will often scar over. It’s not commonly used outside of gynecological surgery.
Polydioxanone (PDS). This synthetic monofilament suture can be used for many types of soft tissue wound repair (such as abdominal closures) as well as for pediatric cardiac procedures.
Poliglecaprone (MONOCRYL). This synthetic monofilament suture is used for general use in soft tissue repair. This material shouldn’t be used for cardiovascular or neurological procedures. This suture is most commonly used to close skin in an invisible manner.
Polyglactin (Vicryl). This synthetic braided suture is good for repairing hand or facial lacerations. It shouldn’t be used for cardiovascular or neurological procedures.
Types of nonabsorbable sutures
Some examples of nonabsorbable sutures can be found below. These types of sutures can all be used generally for soft tissue repair, including for both cardiovascular and neurological procedures.
Nylon. A natural monofilament suture.
Polypropylene (Prolene). A synthetic monofilament suture.
Silk. A braided natural suture.
Polyester (Ethibond). A braided synthetic suture.
Sutures vs. stitches
You’ll often see sutures and stitches referred to interchangeably. It’s important to note that “suture” is the name for the actual medical device used to repair the wound. The stitching is the technique used by your doctor to close the wound. Suture selection and techniques
Suture material is graded
There are a variety of available materials that can be used for suturing. Your doctor will choose a material that’s appropriate for the wound or procedure.
Types of sutures
The different types of sutures can be classified in many ways.
First, suture material can be classified as either absorbable or nonabsorbable.
Absorbable sutures don’t require your doctor to remove them. This is because enzymes found in the tissues of your body naturally digest them.
Nonabsorbable sutures will need to be removed by your doctor at a later date or in some cases left in permanently.
Second, the suture material can be classified according to the actual structure of the material. Monofilament sutures consist of a single thread. This allows the suture to more easily pass through tissues. Braided sutures consist of several small threads braided together. This can lead to better security, but at the cost of increased potential for infection.
Third, sutures can be classified as either being made from natural or synthetic material. However, since all suture material is sterilized, this distinction is not particularly useful.
Types of absorbable sutures
Gut. This natural monofilament suture is used for repairing internal soft tissue wounds or lacerations. Gut shouldn’t be used for cardiovascular or neurological procedures. The body has the strongest reaction to this suture and will often scar over. It’s not commonly used outside of gynecological surgery.
Polydioxanone (PDS). This synthetic monofilament suture can be used for many types of soft tissue wound repair (such as abdominal closures) as well as for pediatric cardiac procedures.
Poliglecaprone (MONOCRYL). This synthetic monofilament suture is used for general use in soft tissue repair. This material shouldn’t be used for cardiovascular or neurological procedures. This suture is most commonly used to close skin in an invisible manner.
Polyglactin (Vicryl). This synthetic braided suture is good for repairing hand or facial lacerations. It shouldn’t be used for cardiovascular or neurological procedures.
Types of nonabsorbable sutures
Some examples of nonabsorbable sutures can be found below. These types of sutures can all be used generally for soft tissue repair, including for both cardiovascular and neurological procedures.
Nylon. A natural monofilament suture.
Polypropylene (Prolene). A synthetic monofilament suture.
Silk. A braided natural suture.
Polyester (Ethibond). A braided synthetic suture.
Sutures vs. stitches
You’ll often see sutures and stitches referred to interchangeably. It’s important to note that “suture” is the name for the actual medical device used to repair the wound. The stitching is the technique used by your doctor to close the wound. Suture selection and techniques
Suture material is graded
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