Influence of the suture diameter on the tensile strength of polypropylene monofilaments and its relationship to the USP specification.

Ethylene gas sterilized polypropylene monofilaments were tested in a straight pull as well as in a conventional knot pull tensile test. In either case an analysis of the results indicates that the occurrence of "surface steps" may explain the relationship between strength and suture diameter. The present investigation not only shows that the polypropylene specification could be established on a more fundamental basis (using 60% of the ultimate tensile strength as the generalized criterion) but also suggests that other sutures should be evaluated similarly.