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Mono Sutures Offer Absorbable Options For Soft Tissue Ligation

Mono sutures, more formally known as monofilament sutures are synthetic options for soft tissue ligation and approximation that are idea for many types of surgical procedures. This type of suture retains about seventy to eighty percent of original tensile strength for one week after implantation and up to forty percent after fourteen days. This provides solid and consistent wound support during the first few critical days after implantation without a rapid decrease in strength and support. However, within just two weeks, the sutures are beginning to lose tensile strength and be absorbed, limiting the chance of scarring and tunnels at the site of the sutures.

 

Different monofilament sutures may have different tensile strength reduction timelines. A very popular option that provides longer wound support than indicated above can be found in a polydioxanone monofilament synthetic absorbable. This suture provides up to ninety five percent of original tensile strength up to two weeks, at four weeks eighty to eighty five percent and at six weeks a full seventy-five percent of the original tensile strength. This makes these mono sutures a good middle of the road suture when there is extended wound support required over traditional gut, chromic gut or poly(glycolide-cocaprolactone) monofilament but non absorbable sutures are not indicated.  Good examples for this type of use include pediatric cardiovascular surgery as well as soft tissue approximation.

 

Other features of mono sutures are obvious. Since they are synthetic and a single uniform filament they are consistent along the length of the mono sutures as well as between sutures. They are considered ideal for plastic surgery for this reason and with the enhanced suppleness that the monofilament sutures provide they are excellent for difficult areas for traditional types of sutures that may be stiffer and more difficult to work with. Smooth tissue passage also minimizes tissue irritation around the suture site and helps to decrease any swelling.

 

Many types of monofilament sutures are non-wicking, which means that bacteria, which can contaminate the wound area, cannot travel or migrate along eh suture line. This is essential in plastic surgery where swelling or even minor irritation of the tissue increases the risk of scarring and longer healing and recovery times. The design of the mono sutures actually allows the suture to the encapsulated by fibrous connective tissue prior to the full absorption of the suture. This is preceded by a minimal acute inflammatory reaction by the tissues.

 

Different manufacturers of monofilament sutures provide different packaging options. Larger boxes of up to three dozen precut and needled packaged mono sutures are great for larger, busy offices, emergency rooms, clinics and operating rooms. Smaller one dozen size boxes are ideal for smaller offices or facilities where surgical procedures are not completely daily. As with all surgical materials there is an expiry date indicated on the box and the package with precut sterilized packaging of mono sutures as well the ligating reels. Using only prior to the expiry date is important and any mono sutures over the expiry date should be disposed of following needle disposal protocols.



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