There are many types of sutures and they differ by size, material and needle. I made this handy chart to help remember how long each type of material lasts in the body and what it’s commonly used for:
| 50% Strength | Gone | Reactivity | Use | |
| Ethibond (coated polyethylene) |
indef | n/an/a | + | Tendon |
| Mersilene (uncoated polyethylene) |
indef | n/a | + | Tendon |
| Nylon | 20%/y | n/a | + | Skin |
| Silk | 1 year | >2y | ++++ | Vessel ligation, drains |
| Prolene (polypropylene) |
indef | n/a | – | Skin |
| Steel | indef | n/a | – | Tendon, sternum |
| Fast Gut | 6d | 20d | ++++ | Skin |
| Plain Gut | 7d | 70d | ++++ | Skin |
| Chromic Gut | 28d | 90d | ++++ | Oral mucosa |
| Monocryl (Poliglecaprone 25) |
7d | 110d | +++ | Skin, subcuticular |
| PDS (Polydioxanone) |
21d | 100d | ++ | Internal organs, fascia |
| Vicryl (Polyglactin 910) |
21d | 90d | ++ | Skin, soft tissue |
Key:
* Monofilament
* Braided