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Plain Gut and Chromic Gut
This material consists primarily of collagen, which is absorbed by the body. The material is chemically purified to minimize tissue reaction. Chromic Gut is the same as Plain Gut except that it is treated with chromium salts to delay the absorbtion time.
Polysyn™ / Polyglycolic Acid / Polyglactin 910 / Vicryl®
A synthetic absorbable suture that ensures closure through the critical wound healing period. These sutures retain approximately 50% of their initial strength at two weeks and 20% of their strength at three weeks. These sutures are essentially absorbed between 42 and 63 days. Available as undyed or violet braided and violet monofilament.
Coated Vicryl
Polyglactin 910 coated with polyglactin 370, creating a smoother surface, decreasing tissue drag. High tensile strength with mild tissue reactivity.
Non-absorbable Sutures
Monofilament Nylon
This polyamide suture offers a high tensile strength with minimal tissue reaction. Nylon has been reported to lose tensile strength post-operatively at a rate of approximately 15% per year.
Braided Silk
Braided silk sutures have excellent tying characteristics. Modern braiding techniques provide a uniform smooth surface and greater tensile strength.
Polypropylene Blue
A polypropylene suture is a monofilament suture (blue) with high tensile strength and minimal tissue reaction. The material is not degraded or weakened by tissue enzymes.
Mersilene
A mersilene suture is an essentially permanent suture with minimal tissue reactivity. The suture has a very high tensile strength.
Needle Comparison Table
Sharpoint/Look
Ethicon
CP Medical
Alcon
USS
BSL5
TG6C
CU8
C-17
C-3
NC-3
DO5
RD1
R1
SS24
DGL6
TG-140-6
NU1
SE-140-6
DGL11
P1
NP-1
P10
DGL13
P3/PC1
NPC-1
DGL19
PS2/PC5
NPS-2/NPC-5
P12
DR12/DR13
C1
P1
CV11/CVF11
DRT14
PC1
DSCM13
PC-1
NPC-1
DSL6
TG-140-6
CU1
SE-140-6
DSL7
TG-140-8
C3
SE-140-8
DSM7
G6
B1
DSM11
P1
NP-1
BO1
P10
DSM13
P3
NP-3
BO2
HGL5
CS-160-6
NU5
SE-160-6
HGL16
PS4/PC12
P24
HSL5
TG-160-6
CU5
SE-160-6
HSL7
C-4
VCL8
S14
R1
SS-14
VSL7
TG-160-8
C6
SE-100-8
Ethicon Needle Types
Needle Tip Comparison
Precision Point Reverse Cutting
3/8 Circle P-1 P-3 PS-2 PS-3
1/2 Circle P-2 PS-6 PS-5 PS-4
Precision Cosmetic Conventional Cosmetic Prime™
3/8 Circle PC-1 PC-5
1/2 Circle PC-12
Sabreloc™ Conventional Spatula
1/4 Circle S-29
1/2 Circle S-28
Sabreloc™ Spatula
1/8 Circle SM-1
1/4 Circle S-14 S-24
1/2 Circle S-2
Ultima™ Spatula
3/8 Circle CS-140-6
1/2 Circle CS-160-6 CS-175-8
Reverse Cutting
3/8 Circle S-2 C-3 M-2 FS-2
1/2 Circle M-1
Micro-Point™ Reverse Cutting
3/8 Circle G-6 G-1 G-3
1/2 Circle G-2
Micro-Point™ Spatula
3/8 Circle TG-140-6 TG-140-8
1/2 Circle TG-160-4 TG-160-6 TG-160-8
Taper Point
3/8 Circle BV-100-3 C-1
Spatula Reverse Cutting 4 or 6 sided
Cutting edges on sides
Spatula Conventional Cutting 4 or 6 sided Cutting edges on sides
Reverse Cutting Triangular, cutting edge at bottom of needle
Conventional Cutting Triangular, cutting edge at top of needle