Suture Chart

Suture characteristics chart

Characteristics of the Dolphin Sutures range. Values are indicative; the instructions for use supplied with each product govern.

Brand name	Material	Origin	Construction	Coating	Colour	Available sizes	Strength retention	Absorption time	Absorption mechanism
Progut Plain	Sheep submucosa	Natural	Monofilament (Virtual)	N/A	Yellowish Tan	3 to 5-0	7-10 days	70 days	Proteolytic enzymatic digestion
Progut Chromic	Sheep submucosa	Natural	Monofilament (Virtual)	Chromium Salts	Brown	3 to 5-0	21-28 days	90 days	Proteolytic enzymatic digestion
Petcryl 910	Polyglactin 910	Synthetic	Braided	Calcium Stearate & Polyglycolide-Co-lactide	Violet & Undyed (White)	2 to 4-0	75%-14days 50%-21days 25%-28days	56-70 days	Hydrolysis
Petcryl 910 Fast	Polyglactin 910	Synthetic	Braided	Calcium Stearate & Polyglycolide-Co-lactide	Undyed (White)	1 to 6-0	50% -5 days 0%-14days	42 days	Hydrolysis
Petcryl	Polyglycolic Acid	Synthetic	Braided	Calcium Stearate & Polycaprolactone	Violet & Undyed (White)	2 to 6-0	75%-14days 50%-21days 25%-28days	60-75 days	Hydrolysis
Petcryl Mono	Poliglecaprone 25	Synthetic	Monofilament	N/A	Violet & Undyed (Beige)	2 to 6-0	50%-7days 20%-14days	90-120 days	Hydrolysis
Duracryl	Polydioxanone	Synthetic	Monofilament	N/A	Violet	2 to 6-0	75%-14days 50%-28days 25%-42days	180-210 days	Hydrolysis
Stainless Steel	Stainless Steel 316 LVM	Metal alloy	Monofilament	N/A	Metallic silver	7 to 1	Indefinite	N/A	N/A
Sutura	Silk	Natural	Braided	Silicone or  wax	Black	2 to 6-0	1-2 years	N/A	N/A
Linex	Polyamide 6 & 6.6	Synthetic	Monofilament	N/A	Black & Blue	2 to 10-0	20% loss per year	N/A	N/A
Procare	Polyester	Synthetic	Braided	Silicone	Green & White	5 to 5-0	Indefinite	N/A	N/A
Duracare	Polypropylene	Synthetic	Monofilament	N/A	Blue	1 to 8-0	Indefinite	N/A	N/A

N/A -Not Applicable

How to read this chart

Strength retention is how much of its original tensile strength a suture keeps after it is placed; absorption time is how long the material takes to be cleared. They are different measures — an absorbable suture stops holding long before it disappears — so a suture is chosen on its strength retention, matched to how quickly the tissue heals. How long dissolvable stitches take to dissolve explains the distinction.

Non-absorbable sutures are not cleared by the body, so absorption does not apply to them; their strength is maintained or, for nylon and silk, declines slowly over a long period. How the two groups differ is set out in absorbable vs non-absorbable sutures.

Sizes follow the USP scale; the diameter range for each size is in the suture size chart, and the materials themselves are described in types of sutures.

Values are indicative and given for reference. The instructions for use supplied with each product are the controlled document for its strength-retention and absorption profile, indications and contraindications.