Suture Types

Sutures are classified as follows:

• ORIGIN – natural vs synthetic

• ABSORPTION – absorbable vs nonabsorbable

• FIBER CONSTRUCTION – multifilament vs monofilament

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NATURAL vs SYNTHETIC:

Natural absorbable – plain or chromic catgut

Natural non-absorbable – silk, linen, stainless steel

Synthetic absorbable –  polyglycolic acid (DEXON), polyglactin (VICRYL), polyglyconate (MAXON), polydiaxanone (PDS), polyglycaprone, biosyn (Glycomer 361), caprosyn

Synthetic non-absorbable – polyamide (NYLON), polyester (DACRON), polypropylene (PROLENE), polybutester

*DACRON – uncoated (MERSILINE), coated (ETHIBOND)

The list below are commonly used sutures in ophthalmology:

• 3-0 Silk – sling rectus muscles in scleral buckle surgery

• 4-0 Silk – bridle suture

• 4-0 Vicryl – lateral tarsal strip procedures

• 5-0 Vicryl – skin closure / subcutaneous or orbicularis muscles

• 7-0 Vicryl or 8-0 Vicryl – sclerotomy ports / conjunctiva closure

• Vicryl – strabismus surgery

• 5-0 or 6-0 Nylon – skin closure

• 9-0 Nylon – scleral laceration near limbus

• 10-0 Nylon – corneal wounds

• 5-0 Ethibond / Mersiline – scleral buckle fixation

• 9-0 Prolene – iridodialysis repair

• 10-0 Prolene – suture fixated intraocular lenses