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.