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Journal of Long-Term Effects of Medical Implants

ISSN for PRINT: 1050-6934

Institutional price:	$1021.00
Issues per year:	6

Best Paper Award Selection - Editorial Board Site

2004, Volume14

100 pages

DOI: 10.1615/JLongTermEffMedImplants.v14.i5

Issue price - $175.00

CAPROSYN*, Another Major Advance in Synthetic Monofilament Absorbable Suture

Angela Pineros-Fernandez, MD
Research Assistant in Plastic Surgery, University of Virginia Health System, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA

David B. Drake, MD
Associate Professor of Plastic Surgery & Orthopedic Surgery. University of Virginia Health System PO Box 800376 Charlottesville VA 22908-0376, USA

Pamela A. Rodeheaver, BA
Research Assistant in Plastic Surgery, University of Virginia Health System, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA

Deborah L. Moody, BS
Plastic Surgery Research Program, University of Virginia Health System, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA

Richard F. Edlich
Biomedical Engineering and Emergency Medicine, University of Virginia Health System, Trauma Specialists LLP, Legacy Verify Level I Shock Trauma Center for Pediatrics and Adults, Legacy Emanuel Hospital, Portland, OR, USA

George T. Rodeheaver, PhD
Distinguished Research Professor of Plastic Surgery. Plastic Surgery Research Program, University of Virginia Health System, P.O. Box 801351 Charlottesville, VA 22908-1351, USA

ABSTRACT

CAPROSYN* suture is the latest innovation in monofilament synthetic suture. This suture is prepared from POLYGLYTONE*6211, a synthetic polyester composed of glycolide, caprolactone, trimethylene carbonate, and lactide. The purpose of this study was to compare the biomechanical performance of CAPROSYN* suture to that of CHROMIC GUT suture. The biomechanical performance studies included quantitative measurements of wound security, strength loss, mass loss, potentiation of infection, tissue drag, knot security, knot rundown, as well as suture stiffness. Both CAPROSYN* and CHROMIC GUT sutures provided comparable resistance to wound disruption. Prior to implantation, suture loops of CAPROSYN* had a significantly greater mean breaking strength than suture loops of CHROMIC GUT. Three weeks after implantation of these absorbable suture loops, the sutures had no appreciable strength. The rate of loss of suture mass of these two sutures was similar. As expected, CHROMIC GUT sutures potentiated significantly more infection than did the CAPROSYN* sutures.
The handling properties of the CAPROSYN* sutures were far superior to those of the CHROMIC GUT sutures. The smooth surface of the CAPROSYN* sutures encountered lower drag forces than did the CHROMIC GUT sutures. Furthermore, it was much easier to reposition the CAPROSYN* knotted sutures than the knotted CHROMIC GUT sutures. In the case of CHROMIC GUT sutures, it was not possible to reposition a two-throw granny knot. These biomechanical performance studies demonstrated the superior performance of synthetic CAPROSYN* sutures compared to CHROMIC GUT sutures and provide compelling evidence of why CAPROSYN* sutures are an excellent alternative to CHROMIC GUT sutures.