General information
Absorbable sutures includes:
- Sutures (thread mounted in a needle) for joining the edges of a wound or incision by stitching. 
- Ligatures (thread without needle) used to tie up a bleeding artery.
Sutures for gastrointestinal, paediatric and general surgery:
| MSNSABSB20R2: | ABS, BRAID. VI, 2-0 US/3 E, 90cm, n. &fraq12;-25.9mm round, 243 | 
| MSNSABSB2R4: | ABS, BRAID. VI, 2 US/5 E, 90cm, n. &fraq12;-48mm round, 372 | 
| MSNSABSB30R2: | ABS, BRAID. VI, 3-0 US/2 E, 70cm, n. &fraq12;-21.8mm round, 311 | 
Sutures for urology and plastic surgery: Gauge USP 4-0:
| MSNSABSB30R1: | ABS, BRAIDED VI, 3-0 US/2 E, 70cm, n. &fraq12;-18.5mm round,2150 | 
| MSNSABSB40R1: | ABS, BRAIDED VI, 4-0 US/2 E, 70cm, n. &fraq12;-18.5mm round,2140 | 
Sutures for suturing muscles and fascia: Gauge USP 2, 1 and 0 (size 2 is also for suturing liver wounds
| MSNSABSB2R4: | ABS, BRAIDED VI, 2 US/5 E, 90cm, n. &fraq12;-48mm round, 372 | 
| MSNSABSB2RL: | ABS, BRAIDED VI, 2 US/5 E, 75cm, n. 3/8 -85mm r., liver | 
| MSNSABSB0R3: | ABS, BRAIDED VI, 0 US/3.5 E, 90cm, n. &fraq12;-36.4mm round, 346 | 
| MSNSABSB1R3: | ABS, BRAIDED VI, 1 US/4 E, 90cm, n. &fraq12;-39.9mm round, 359 | 
Ligatures for tying off bleeding vessels: Gauge USP 0, 2-0 and 3-0
| MSNSABSBL0: | ABS, BRAIDED VI., LIGATURE 0 US/3.5 E, 140cm, ref. 616 | 
| MSNSABSBL20: | ABS, BRAIDED VI., LIGATURE 2-0 US/3 E, 140cm, ref. 615 | 
| MSNSABSBL30: | ABS, BRAIDED VI., LIGATURE 3-0 US/2 E, 140cm, ref. 614 | 
Specifications
| Materials: | Thread: polyglactin 910 (copolymer composed of  90% glycoside and 10% L-lacticide) | 
|   | Thread coating: mixture of equal parts copolymer of glycoside and lactide (polyglactin 370) and calcium stearate. | 
|   | Needle: treated stainless steel. | 
 
A suture holds a wound together, in good apposition, until such time as the natural healing process is sufficiently well-advanced as to render support from suture materials unnecessary and redundant.
 
Thread: The absorbable synthetic sterile thread polyglactin 910 (e.g., EthiconVicryl a violet-dyed braided suture) elicits a minimal acute inflammatory reaction in tissue and minimal ingrowths of fibrous connective tissue.
 
Polyglactin 910 thread progressively loses tensile strength; absorption eventual occurs via hydrolysis: a process in which the copolymer degrades to glycolic and lactic acids that are subsequently absorbed and metabolized in the body.
 
Coating: Braided material is often coated to decrease capillarity and to create a smooth surface. Absorption begins as a loss of tensile strength followed by a loss of mass.
 
Vicryl; Indicated for use in general soft tissue approximation and/or ligation, including ophthalmic procedures, but not for use in vascular or neurological tissues.
| Tensile strength:  | Post implantation | 
|   | - 50% at 21 days  | 
|   | - 0% at  35 days   | 
| Absorption:  | Essentially completed between 56 and 70 days. | 
                     
Vicryl Rapid: Indicated for use in soft tissue approximation of the skin and mucosa where only short-term support to a wound is required. Not intended for use in ligation, ophthalmic, cardiovascular or neurological procedures.
| Tensile strength: | Post implantation | 
|   | -50% at 5 days | 
|   | -0% at  12 days | 
| Absorption: | Essentially completed between 35 and 42 days. | 
 
The braid’s coated multifilament ensures ease of handling and knotting; the special lubricant coating remains bonded to the material throughout its use, ensuring the sutures smooth passage through tissue and easy knot tie-down.
 
Thread Gauge: as indicated in the Unite States Pharmacopoeia (USP) and the European pharmacopoeia (EP).
 
| Gauges for absorbable and non-absorbable synthetic materials   | 
| USP size code   | EP size code   | Diameter                        min.                       max. | 
|                        5-0 |                        1 |                        0.10 – 0.14 | 
|                        4-0 |                        1.5 |                        0.15 – 0.19 | 
|                        3-0 |                        2 |                        0.20 – 0.24 | 
|                        2-0 |                        2.5 |                        0.25 – 0.29 | 
|                        0 |                        3 |                        0.30 – 0.39 | 
|                        1 |                        4 |                        0.40 – 0.49 | 
|                        2 |                        5 |                        0.50 – 0.59 | 
 
| Needles: | - Type: eyeless with attached needle, thread mounted on needle | 
|   | - Point: round (non-cutting) has no edges that can cut through tissue; it is used for suturing easily torn tissues; i.e., peritoneum or intestine. | 
|   | - Shape: the degree of curvature is described in terms of circumference: &fraq12; to 3/8 of a circle. | 
|   | - Length: available in different lengths 18-48mm. | 
 
Key to read absorbable suture description
ABS, BRAIDED VI, 2-0 US/3 E, 90 cm, n. &fraq12;-25.9mm round, 243
| General description: | Absorbable suture | ABS | 
| Thread type | Braided | BRAID | 
| Registered name: | Vicryl | VI | 
| Thread Gauge: | US Pharmacopoeia | 2-0 USP | 
|   | European pharmacopoeia | 3 EP | 
| Tread length: |   | 90cm | 
| Needle: |   | n. | 
|   | Shape: &fraq12; circle | &fraq12; | 
|   | Length: | 25.9 | 
|   | Point: | rounded (r.) | 
| Manufacturer code Nr: | example: Ethicon V 243 H | 243 | 
Tensile strength post implantation is 0% at 35 days.
Absorption is completed between 56 and 70 days.
MSNSABSB2R4
MSNSABSB2RL
MSNSABSB0R3
MSNSABSB1R3
MSNSABSB20R2
MSNSABSB2R4
MSNSABSB30R2
MSNSABSBL0
MSNSABSBL20
MSNSABSBL30
Vicryl Rapid tensile strength post implantation is 0 % at 12 days.
Absorption is completed between 32 and 45 days.
MSNSABSB30R1
MSNSABSB40R1
Liver suture has a 3/8 needle with a blunt point
MSNSABSB2RL (Ref ASSUT 46468)
 
| Unit presentation:  | 1 suture with needle or 1 ligature, sterile, double packaging, single-use. | 
| Packaging: | Box containing 36 individually-packaged sutures or ligatures marked with the following: | 
|   | - Product name and reference number. | 
|   | - Product description and thread composition. | 
|   | - Thread gauge size in USP and EP. | 
|   | - Needle type and size. | 
|   | - Sterile - Sterilization method (ethylene oxide). | 
|   | - Expiration date, lot and batch number. | 
|   | - CE mark and reference number of notifying body. | 
| Storage: | Maximum temperature 25°C, protect from direct sunlight. | 
| Comments: | Do not re-sterilize: once opened discard all unused sutures and ligatures.  | 
|   | Re-sterilizing causes materials to lose their strength and pliability. | 
| Other:   | Suture quality must meet the characteristics and tests described in the EU and US pharmacopoeias. Must comply with European Medical Device Directive 93/42/EEC or American Directives 21CFR820. |