Microsurgery Suture Materials: Nylon, Polypropylene, PDS, Maxon, Ethisilon

Microsurgery demands high tensile strength, minimal tissue reactivity, precise handling, and secure knots at microscopic scale (vessels/nerves <1–3 mm).

Top Suture Materials

Material	Type	Absorbable?	Key Properties	Typical Use
Nylon (Polyamide)	Monofilament	No	High strength, flexible, low reactivity, good knot security	Vessels, nerves, skin – gold standard for microanastomosis
Polypropylene (Prolene)	Monofilament	No	Similar to nylon, slightly stiffer, inert, permanent	Vascular anastomosis, prosthetic grafts
Polydioxanone (PDS II)	Monofilament	Yes (180–210 days)	Long tensile strength retention, minimal reaction, secure knots	Slow-healing tissues, when removal difficult
Polyglyconate (Maxon)	Braided	Yes (~180 days)	High initial strength, good handling, secure knots	General microsurgery, absorbable preferred
Poliglecaprone 25 (Monocryl/Ethilon*)	Monofilament	Yes (90–120 days)	Smooth, high tensile, minimal drag, rapid absorption	Subcuticular, superficial vessels, pediatric

*Note: Ethilon is nylon (non-absorbable); Monocryl is poliglecaprone 25 (absorbable). Source likely conflated names.

Selection Criteria

• Vessel/nerve size and wall thickness
• Need for permanent vs. temporary support
• Surgeon preference and training
• Infection risk (monofilament preferred)
• Radiopacity (some coated)

8-0 to 11-0 sizes typical. Needle: taper point, microvascular (3/8 or 1/2 circle, 50–150 µm).