Common suture materials and suggested indications for their use
Table of when to use different types of sutures
| Examples | Synthetic or Natural | Suggested Indications | |
| Absorbable Monofilament | CatgutChromic Catgut | Natural | Rarely used |
| PDS™ (Polydioxanone)Monocryl™ (Polycaprone Glycolide)
Maxon™ (Polyglyconate) |
Synthetic | Buried dermal sutures or continuous subcuticular suture | |
| Absorbable Braided | Vicryl/Vicryl Rapide™ (Polyglactin 910)Polysorb™ (Lactomer 9-1) | Synthetic | Buried dermal suturesVicryl rapide excellent choice for interrupted sutures in the hands, ‘pink’ lip laceration repairs and facial lacerations in children (do not need removal) |
| Non-Absorbable Monofilament | Nylon™ (eg Ethilon) | Natural | Used for skin closure, minimally reactive, also used internally for vascular anastomoses, tendon/nerve repairs |
| Prolene™ (Polypropylene) | Synthetic | ||
| Non-Absorbable Braided | Silk | Natural | Traditional ‘gold standard’ non-absorbable suture, easy to handle, rarely used in modern practice for skinAlternative for tendon repair |
| Ethibond™ (braided polyester) | Synthetic |
Useful links
- How to suture
- What are the different suturing techniques?
- What are the different suture sizes and suggested indications for their use?
- When to give tetanus immunisation and tetanus toxoid?