Oxford Medical Education

Common suture materials and suggested indications for their use

oxfordmedicaleducation.com/clinical-skills/procedures/common-suture-materials-and-suggested-indications-for-their-use/

July 31,
2015

Table of when to use different types of sutures

Examples Synthetic Suggested

or Indications
Natural

Absorbable Monofilament CatgutChromic Catgut Natural Rarely used

PDS™ (Polydioxanone)Monocryl™ (Polycaprone Synthetic Buried dermal

Glycolide) sutures or
Maxon™ (Polyglyconate) continuous
subcuticular
suture

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Absorbable Braided Vicryl/Vicryl Rapide™ (Polyglactin Synthetic Buried dermal
910)Polysorb™ (Lactomer 9-1) suturesVicryl
rapide
excellent
choice for
interrupted
sutures in the
hands, ‘pink’
lip laceration
repairs and
facial
lacerations in
children (do
not need
removal)

Non- Nylon™ (eg Ethilon) Natural Used for skin

Absorbable Monofilament closure,
Prolene™ (Polypropylene) Synthetic minimally
reactive, also
used internally
for vascular
anastomoses,
tendon/nerve
repairs

Non-Absorbable Braided Silk Natural Traditional

‘gold standard’
Ethibond™ (braided polyester) Synthetic non-
absorbable
suture, easy to
handle, rarely
used in
modern
practice for
skinAlternative
for tendon
repair

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?

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