Surgical Sutures
13 products
The Clini range of surgical sutures: absorbable and non-absorbable, braided and monofilament, from catgut to polypropylene.
All Surgical Sutures13 products
Buying guide
How to choose a surgical suture
Two questions narrow the choice: should the suture absorb, and do you want a braided or a monofilament thread?
Absorbable or non-absorbable?
Absorbable sutures lose strength and are broken down by the body, so they suit tissue that heals and needs no removal. They differ in how long they hold: CliniGut Plain catgut keeps its strength for 7 to 10 days, CliniGut Chromic for 10 to 14 days, and braided CliniSorb (Polyglactin 910) has half its strength left at 21 days. Catgut is a natural material; the Chromic version is treated with chromium salts so it lasts longer. All three are fully absorbed over weeks to months.
Quick-absorbing and long-lasting options
For short-term skin closure, CliniSorb Quick is braided and has lost all strength by 14 days, while CliniMono Quick is a monofilament with 40% strength at 14 days. At the other end, CliniSolv (PDO monofilament) supports a wound for up to 6 weeks.
Braided or monofilament?
Braided threads handle softly and hold knots securely, which is why CliniSilk silk and CliniEster polyester are braided and silicone-coated. Monofilaments such as CliniLon nylon and CliniLene polypropylene are smooth with low tissue reaction, and both are non-absorbable choices for skin closure. CliniLene is also used for cardiovascular and hernia repair, and CliniEster for cardiac, orthopaedic and tendon repair.
Questions we get asked
Before you buy
What does USP 6/0 or 2 mean on a suture?
It is the thread size. The higher the number before /0, the finer the thread, so 6/0 is very fine and 2 is thick. Most of the Clini range comes in USP 6/0 to 2; CliniGut Plain runs from 5/0 to 1.
Which sutures are non-absorbable?
CliniSilk (braided silk), CliniEster (braided polyester), CliniLon (nylon monofilament) and CliniLene (polypropylene monofilament). The rest of the range is absorbable.
Do you sell practice sutures for students?
The Future Surgeon Suture Training Bundle includes at least three mixed practice sutures with the suture kit, a 3D abdominal practice pad and a fixed-blade scalpel. Student practice kits are in our dissecting and suturing kits section.