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Sutures are among the most essential tools in veterinary surgery. From closing incisions to repairing tissues, the right suture ensures wound strength, precise healing, and minimal complications. For veterinarians, understanding the types of surgical sutures and how to choose them based on material, strength, and absorption rate is crucial for achieving successful outcomes.
Each surgery, species, and tissue type requires a specific suture material that offers the right balance between tensile strength, flexibility, and tissue response. Whether used for midline laparotomy, fascia repair, or vascular anastomosis, sutures act as silent partners in the healing process. This guide explores every major suture type, its structure, and its purpose in veterinary practice.
Suture materials are the foundation of wound closure in veterinary surgery. They are classified by their origin, composition, and absorption properties. Broadly, sutures are divided into absorbable and non-absorbable categories, with further distinctions between natural and synthetic types.
Absorbable sutures dissolve within the body through hydrolysis or enzymatic reaction, depending on their composition. They are typically used in tissues that heal quickly, such as internal organs, fascia, or subcutaneous layers. Non-absorbable sutures, on the other hand, provide long-term or permanent support for tissues requiring extended strength, such as skin or tendon repairs.
Natural materials like silk and catgut have been used for centuries. However, advancements in synthetic sutures such as Polydioxanone (PDO), Polymer of Glycolic Acid (PGA), and Poliglecaprone (PGCL) have provided more predictable performance and reduced tissue reactions. The structural form also influences performance, monofilament sutures are smooth and resist bacterial growth, while multifilament sutures offer flexibility and better knot security.
Choosing the correct material involves understanding how the tissue heals, the expected foreign body reaction, and how long the suture must maintain tensile strength before being absorbed or removed.
Absorbable sutures are used in tissues that regain strength within weeks or months. These materials gradually degrade inside the body through hydrolysis (synthetic sutures) or enzymatic reactions (natural sutures), eliminating the need for removal.
PDO sutures are monofilament absorbable sutures that provide long-term tensile strength, typically absorbed within 180 to 210 days. They maintain durability throughout healing, making them ideal for fascia, tendon, and midline laparotomy closures. Because of their low tissue reactivity, PDO sutures are excellent for procedures requiring extended support such as vascular anastomosis and mass closure.
PGCL, or Poliglecaprone, is another monofilament absorbable suture known for its smooth texture and minimal tissue drag. It absorbs within 3–4 months and is preferred for subcutaneous and internal tissue closures where healing occurs moderately fast.
PGA sutures, made from Polymer of Glycolic Acid, are multifilament absorbable sutures that provide excellent knot security and handling. They offer mid-term absorption of 60–90 days, making them perfect for soft tissue repairs, hand-sewn bowel anastomosis, and closures under moderate tension.
Derived from collagen, chromic catgut sutures are natural, twisted multifilament sutures that absorb through enzymatic reaction. The chromic salt treatment extends their lifespan to 90–120 days and reduces tissue reactivity. These are well-suited for ligatures, subcutaneous closures, and surgical sites requiring flexible natural sutures.
Non-absorbable sutures provide long-term mechanical support and are removed once the tissue has fully healed. They are particularly important in skin closures, tendon repairs, and drain securing procedures.
Nylon sutures are synthetic monofilament materials offering high tensile strength, flexibility, and biocompatibility. As non-absorbable sutures, they remain indefinitely in tissue unless removed, making them perfect for external closures and wound securing. Nylon exhibits minimal foreign body reaction, passes smoothly through tissue, and resists degradation. It is particularly useful for skin closure, vascular prosthesis attachment, and drain securing where long-term stability is essential.
The structural configuration of sutures significantly affects their handling and performance.
Monofilament sutures consist of a single, smooth strand that glides easily through tissue and reduces infection risk. They have less drag, resist bacterial colonization, and minimize tissue trauma, making them ideal for clean wounds and internal closures. Examples include PDO, PGCL, and Nylon.
Multifilament sutures, on the other hand, are composed of multiple fibers braided or twisted together. They provide excellent knot security and handling flexibility, but their surface texture can harbor bacteria if not sterilized properly. Materials such as PGA and Chromic Catgut fall under this category and are often chosen for procedures that require greater control during tying and manipulation.
The decision between monofilament and multifilament often depends on the surgical environment, desired strength, and infection risk.
Veterinary surgeons have access to a range of medical supplies, each designed for specific procedures. The table below summarizes key materials, structures, and absorption durations commonly used in clinical practice.
| Material | Type | Absorption Time | Key Features |
| Polydioxanone (PDO) | Monofilament | 180–210 days | Long-term support, strong tensile strength, minimal tissue reaction. |
| PGCL (Poliglecaprone) | Monofilament | 90–120 days | Smooth passage, low tissue drag, consistent absorption. |
| PGA (Polymer of Glycolic Acid) | Braided/Coated Multifilament | 60–90 days | Excellent knot security, reliable handling, mid-term absorption. |
| Chromic Catgut | Twisted Multifilament | 90–120 days | Natural suture, enzymatic absorption, extended lifespan with chromic treatment. |
| Polyamide 6 / 6,6 (Nylon) | Non-Absorbable Monofilament | Permanent | Durable, low tissue reaction, ideal for skin closures and drain securing. |
Selecting the correct suture size and surgical needle is vital to achieving tension-free closure and optimal healing.
Suture size should match the strength of the tissue being repaired:
Understanding these factors helps ensure the suture and needle combination supports precision and efficiency during surgery.
A successful closure depends on a suture’s ability to maintain tensile strength until tissue regains its own stability. If the suture absorbs too quickly, wound dehiscence may occur; if it persists too long, it can trigger excessive inflammation.
Balancing absorption and strength ensures effective wound support while minimizing foreign body reaction and scarring.
Proper handling techniques preserve suture integrity and sterility throughout surgery.
Well-maintained sutures not only perform better but also prevent postoperative complications.
Veterinary sutures play an essential role in wound healing, tissue repair, and surgical precision. Understanding the different types of surgical sutures, including their material composition, absorption rate, and tensile properties, allows veterinarians to make informed choices that improve outcomes and reduce recovery time.
At Strouden, we provide a comprehensive selection of Assut Europe veterinary sutures, including ASSUFIL, MONOFIL, ASSUNYL, Chromic Catgut, and FILBLOC® PDO barbed sutures. Each product is designed to meet high surgical standards, offering superior handling, predictable absorption, and optimal strength. These sutures are suitable for a wide range of veterinary applications, ensuring safety and reliability in every procedure.
Contact us today to explore our full range of Assut Europe surgical sutures and equip your veterinary practice with high-quality materials designed for precision, durability, and trusted surgical performance.
There are two main types of surgical sutures: absorbable and non-absorbable. They can further be classified by material as synthetic or natural, and by structure as monofilament or multifilament, each suited for specific veterinary surgical procedures.
Suture materials include Polydioxanone (PDO), Polymer of Glycolic Acid (PGA), Poliglecaprone (PGCL), Nylon, Silk, and Chromic Catgut. These materials differ in strength, absorption time, and tissue reactivity, helping veterinarians choose the best option for various wound closures.
Chromic Catgut is a natural and absorbable suture made from purified collagen. It dissolves through an enzymatic reaction, typically within 90 to 120 days, making it suitable for soft tissue and ligature applications in veterinary surgeries.
Common absorbable sutures include Polydioxanone (PDO), Poliglecaprone (PGCL), Polymer of Glycolic Acid (PGA), and Chromic Catgut. They gradually degrade through hydrolysis or enzymatic processes, providing temporary wound support during the healing phase before being absorbed by the body.
Non-absorbable sutures such as Nylon, Polypropylene, and Silk provide long-term or permanent tissue support. They are used for external skin closures, tendon repairs, and procedures where sutures must retain strength beyond the natural healing period.
