Tensile properties of synthetic, absorbable monofilament suture materials before and after incubation in phosphate-buffered saline.

OBJECTIVE

To compare tensile properties of synthetic, absorbable, monofilament suture material before and after incubation in phosphate-buffered saline (PBS).

STUDY DESIGN

Two sizes (2-0 and 3-0) of Biosyn, Maxon, Monocryl, PDS II, Securocryl, and Securodox were tested.

SAMPLE POPULATION

Ten suture loops per group.

METHODS

Tensile strength, elongation, and modulus of suture loops were measured at baseline and after 7, 14, 21, or 28 days of incubation in PBS.

RESULTS

Size, suture material, and size × suture material interaction influenced maximum breaking load, maximum elongation, and modulus of elasticity. At baseline, 2-0 and 3-0 Maxon had the highest breaking loads (111.67 N and 79.71 N, respectively) for their size, and 2-0 PDSII and 3-0 Securodox had the lowest (68.71 N and 48.73 N, respectively). Maxon 2-0 and 3-0 had the greatest elongations (9.68 mm and 8.45 mm, respectively) for their size, and 2-0 Biosyn and 3-0 Securocryl had the least (7.21 mm and 6.58 mm, respectively). Biosyn 2-0 and 3-0 had the highest modulus. With incubation, Maxon (2-0), PDS II (2-0, 3-0), and Securodox (2-0, 3-0) maintained or gained strength over 4 weeks. Strengths of 2-0 and 3-0 Biosyn and 3-0 Maxon were maintained for 2 weeks, while Monocryl and Securocryl lost 20% to 44% of baseline strength within 1 week and 60% to 72% within 2 weeks. Day 7 strengths of 2-0 Biosyn and 2-0 Monocryl were greater than baseline strength of 2-0 PDS II. Strength of 3-0 Biosyn at day 14 was greater than strength of Monocryl at days 7 and 14 and greater than strength of 3-0 PDS II, 3-0 Securodox, and 3-0 Securocryl at baseline and days 7 and 14.

CONCLUSION

Suture tensile properties varied with suture size, composition, and brand. At baseline, Maxon suture had the greatest strength and elongation, and Biosyn had the greatest stiffness.

CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE

Tensile strength retention, when reported as a percentage of original strength, provides insufficient information for comparison of suture tensile properties.