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Non-absorbable sutures
Non-Absorbable Sutures
Non-absorbable sutures are not broken down by the body and provide lasting support, making them suited to tissue that heals slowly or needs permanent reinforcement. Dolphin Sutures manufactures a full range across polypropylene, nylon, polyester, PTFE, silk, UHMWPE and stainless steel.
What non-absorbable sutures are
A non-absorbable suture is not absorbed by the body and remains in place, providing durable support. It may be left permanently — for example in cardiovascular or orthopaedic repair — or removed after healing when used for skin closure.
The range includes monofilament sutures, which pass smoothly through tissue and resist harbouring organisms, and braided sutures, which offer supple handling and knot security.
Choosing a material
Non-absorbable materials differ in handling, strength and structure. Polypropylene and PTFE monofilaments are widely used in cardiovascular and plastic surgery; polyester and UHMWPE braids provide high tensile strength for demanding repairs; nylon suits general and skin closure; silk offers traditional handling for ligation; and stainless steel is used where maximum strength is required, such as sternal closure.
Range and sizes
The range spans fine to heavy U.S.P. sizes with a choice of needle configurations. Selection of material, size and needle rests with the operating surgeon based on the tissue and procedure.
The Non-Absorbable Sutures range
Permanent monofilament and braided sutures — polypropylene, nylon, polyester, PTFE, silk, UHMWPE and stainless steel — for closures that need lasting tensile strength.
UHMWPE Sutures
DURAFIBR is a sterile, non-absorbable braided UHMWPE suture with polyester, undyed with a blue tracer, engineered for high tensile strength and durable handling in orthopaedic and heavy-tissue surgical closure.
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PTFE Sutures
TEFLENE is a monofilament, non-absorbable PTFE suture composed of a single strand of polytetrafluoroethylene: soft, smooth and biologically inert, designed for secure soft-tissue approximation and ligation across specialty surgical procedures.
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Polypropylene Sutures
Duracare Polypropylene Sutures are synthetic, non-absorbable monofilament sutures that pass smoothly through tissue and provide permanent wound support with minimal tissue reaction, dyed blue for clear identification throughout general and specialty surgical procedures.
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Polyamide (Nylon) Sutures
Linex Nylon Suture is a monofilament, non-absorbable polyamide (Nylon 6) suture engineered for smooth tissue passage, reliable knot security and minimal tissue drag in skin and subcuticular closure.
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Silk Sutures
Dolphin Silk Sutures are braided, silicone-coated non-absorbable sutures made from natural silk, dyed black for visibility and designed for smooth tissue passage, secure knots, and dependable ligation across many surgical specialties.
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Polyester Sutures
Procare polyester sutures from Dolphin Sutures are braided, silicone-coated, non-absorbable sutures made from polyethylene terephthalate, designed for soft tissue approximation and ligation in cardiovascular, orthopaedic, ophthalmic and general surgery.
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Stainless Steel Sutures
Dolphin Steel Sutures are sterile, non-absorbable 316LVM stainless steel sutures for durable soft-tissue approximation and fixation, widely used in sternal closure, hernia repair, and selected orthopaedic procedures.
View details →Compare the range
The non-absorbable range by material and structure. Refer to each product for U.S.P. sizes, needle options and codes.
| Suture | Material | Structure | Typical use | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Duracare | Polypropylene | Monofilament | Cardiovascular | plastic surgery |
| Teflene | PTFE | Monofilament | Cardiovascular surgery | |
| Linex | Polyamide (nylon) | Monofilament | General and skin closure | |
| Procare | Polyester | Braided | Cardiovascular | high-strength |
| Durafibr | UHMWPE | Braided | Orthopaedic | high-strength |
| Sutura | Silk | Braided | Ligation and general use | |
| Stainless Steel | Stainless steel | Monofilament / multifilament | Sternal and orthopaedic closure |
Applications
- Cardiovascular and thoracic surgery
- Orthopaedic and high-tension repair
- General surgery and skin closure
- Ligation and vessel occlusion
Frequently Asked Questions
What does non-absorbable mean?
A non-absorbable suture is not broken down by the body. It provides lasting support and is either left in place permanently or removed after healing when used for skin closure.
Which non-absorbable suture is used in cardiovascular surgery?
Polypropylene (Duracare), PTFE (Teflene) and polyester (Procare) are commonly used in cardiovascular procedures. Final selection rests with the operating surgeon.
Are monofilament and braided options available?
Yes. Monofilament sutures such as polypropylene, PTFE and nylon pass smoothly through tissue, while braided sutures such as polyester, UHMWPE and silk offer supple handling and knot security.
Do non-absorbable sutures need to be removed?
It depends on use. Sutures placed for skin closure are typically removed after healing, while those used for internal or permanent reinforcement are intended to remain in place.
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