Suture

Question 1

Cat gut/chromic gut

Answer 1

Absorbable, natural

Sheep intestine submucosa and bovine intestinal serosa

Not really used

Question 2

Monocryl

Answer 2

Polyglecaprone 25

Synthetic, absorbable monofilament

Rapidly loses strength

50% loss of tensile strength within 1-2 weeks

Uses: bladder, SC tissue, vessel ligation

Question 3

Biosyn

Answer 3

Glycomer 631

Synthetic absorbable monofilament

Rapid absorption

Question 4

Vicryl

Answer 4

Polyglactin 910

Absorbable, synthetic, multifilament

Uses: intradermal sutures, small vessel ligation, oral surgery

Question 5

Dexon

Answer 5

Glycolic acid

Like vicryl (though with slightly greater knot security)

Question 6

PDS

Answer 6

Polydioxanone

Synthetic, absorbable, monofilament

Default for most internal suturing

Question 7

Maxon

Answer 7

Polyglyconate

Like PDS

Slightly greater memory and cheaper

Question 8

Silk

Answer 8

Natural, non-absorbable, multifilament

Vessel ligation (PDS, portosystemic shunts)

Question 9

Nylon

Answer 9

Polyamide

Synthetic, non-absorbable, monofilament

Cheap

Skin, orthopedics

Question 10

Prolene

Answer 10

Polypropylene

Synthetic, non-absorbable, monofilament

Strong with good handling

Least likely of all non-absorbable sutures to potentiate infection or induce thrombi

Skin, tendon, ligament

Question 11

Stainless steel

Answer 11

Cheap, autoclavable, strong

Poor handling

Cycle to failure

Sternotomy