Nonabsorbable Suture with Needle Ethilon™ Nylon and Silk
ETHILON™ Suture is a nonabsorbable, sterile surgical monofilament suture composed of the long-chain aliphatic polymers Nylon 6 and Nylon 6,6. This product is indicated for use in general soft tissue approximation and/or ligation, including use in cardiovascular, ophthalmic, and neurological procedures. Ethilon™ Nylon is a nonabsorbable monofilament suture composed of the long polymer chain, which ensures durability in various clinical environments.
Key Features and Characteristics
Ethilon sutures are widely used in various surgical procedures due to their strength, flexibility, and other favourable characteristics. Some of the most notable features include:
- Ethilon suture is dyed black or green to enhance visibility in tissue.
- The monofilament structure ensures a smooth surface, minimizing tissue trauma during suturing.
- Ethilon provides minimal acute inflammatory response from tissue.
- The material offers extremely slow encapsulation and degradation (1 to 2 years).
- The suture is also available undyed (clear).
Silk and Braided Suture Options
In addition to nylon monofilaments, Silkam® is a non-absorbable, braided and coated suture, made of natural silk filaments. Surgical Specialties™ Silk sutures utilize a modern braiding technique that provides a uniform smooth surface and a greater tensile strength. The non-reflective finish makes the needle easier to distinguish under bright surgical lights.
Advantages of Braided Silk
- Smooth knot run-down and gentle knot repositioning.
- High knot holding capacity.
- Minimized inflammatory reaction.
- The precision manufacturing ensures consistent needle strength and durability that holds up pass after pass.
Product Specifications
The following table provides a comparison of technical specifications for common nonabsorbable sutures based on provided product data:
| Feature | Ethilon™ Nylon (#2689) | Surgical Specialties™ Silk (#986502) |
|---|---|---|
| Suture Material | Nylon | Silk |
| Suture Type | Monofilament | Braided |
| Suture Size | Size 4-0 | Size 6-0 |
| Needle Type | Precision Reverse Cutting | Taper Point Needle | P-3 | DR13 |
| Needle Shape | 3/8 Circle | 3/8 Circle |
| Suture Length | 18 Inch | 18 Inch |
| Sterility | Sterile | Sterile |
Clinical Indications and Applications
Ethilon is often used for interrupted closure of skin incisions or traumatic wounds. These sutures need to be removed after 4-14 days, depending on their location, though most are removed after 7-10 days. In general surgery, it is used to close hernia defects and reinforce abdominal wall closures.
Silkam® is basically indicated for applications where it is surgical practice to employ non-absorbable suture material, including:
- General surgery
- Skin closure
- Oral surgery
- Neurosurgery
- Ophthalmic surgery
- Ligatures
Needle Technology
The Reverse Cutting Needle and Taper Point Needle options are constructed from Stainless Steel. The precision manufacturing of our Surgical Specialties™ sutures ensures consistent needle strength and durability that holds up pass after pass. Available needle options include Taperpoint, Tapercut, Cutting Edge Reverse/Conventional, and Spatulated Center Point.