Sutures can be either multifilament or monofilament. Which is an example of a monofilament suture?

Monofilament sutures are made of a single strand of material, which gives them smooth passage through tissues and reduces tissue drag. This characteristic also helps lower the risk of infection, as there are fewer surfaces for bacteria to latch onto compared to multifilament sutures, which consist of several threads twisted together.

Prolene is a well-known example of a monofilament suture. It is made of polypropylene, which provides excellent tensile strength and minimal tissue reactivity. These features make Prolene particularly suitable for applications such as skin closure and in vascular surgery where a low risk of infection and minimal tissue handling is desired.

Chromic gut and Vicryl are multifilament sutures. Chromic gut is made from processed collagen derived from bovine or sheep intestines, and it is multifilament due to its structure. Vicryl is also a multifilament suture made from braided polyglactin. Ethibond, another multifilament option, is made from polyester fibers and is commonly used in orthopedic and cardiovascular surgeries for its strength.

Understanding the differences in suture types is crucial for selection based on the surgical context and minimizing complications related to infection and healing.