Memory
Thread memory is the capacity of the suture thread to return to its former, packaged shape. Thread memory has little effect on the quality of the suture, however it does affect manageability, as threads with memory tend to form knots spontaneously during use.
Sutures with a strong memory effect are not flexible and are difficult to work with, sometimes requiring extra knots to be tied (e.g. nylon). [1]
To reduce the memory effect, B. Braun has developed an innovative packaging: the Race Pack. In the Race Pack the suture is positioned in such a way that when it is removed from the package it presents straight. Optilene® polyethylene/polypropylene monofilament, used mainly in vascular surgery, is packaged in the Race Pack.
In the Race Pack the suture is positioned in such a way that when it is removed from the package it presents straight. Optilene® polyethylene/polypropylene monofilament, used mainly in vascular surgery, is packaged in the Race Pack.
Metric
The European Pharmacopoeia (EP) decimal classification is used as the standard for defining the thread gauge (from 0.1 to 10).
For example, a decimal 2 corresponds to a thread of 0.20-0.29 mm in diameter.
However, the most widely used system of classification is that of the United States Pharmacopeia (USP) in which the gauge varies from 12/0 to 4, going from thinnest to thickest and according to the origin see Origin >> of the suture and its resorption see Resorption >> profile.
There is an equivalence between these two standards.
| USP | Metric | Thread gauge in mm |
| 12-0 | 0.01 | 0.001-0.009 |
| 11-0 | 0.1 | 0.010-0.019 |
| 10-0 | 0.2 | 0.020-0.029 |
| 9-0 | 0.3 | 0.030-0.039 |
| 8-0 | 0.4 | 0.040-0.049 |
| 7-0 | 0.5 | 0.050-0.069 |
| 6-0 | 0.7 | 0.070-0.099 |
| 5-0 | 1 | 0.10-0.149 |
| 4-0 | 1.5 | 0.15-0.199 |
| 3-0 | 2 | 0.20-0.249 |
| 2.5 | 0.25-0.299 | |
| 2-0 | 3 | 0.30-0.349 |
| 0 | 3.5 | 0.35-0.399 |
| 1 | 4 | 0.40-0.499 |
| 2 | 5 | 0.50-0.599 |
| 3+4 | 6 | 0.60-0.699 |
| 5 | 7 | 0.70-0.799 |
| 6 | 8 | 0.80-0.899 |
| 7 | 9 | 0.90-0.999 |
| 8 | 10 | 1.00-1.099 |
| 9 | 11 | 1.10-1.199 |
| 10 | 12 | 1.20-1.299 |
Monofilament
The suture material may be made of a single filament (monofilament) or several filaments (multifilament or braided). [1]
Monofilament sutures are an attractive option because of their strength, low tissue drag and low propensity to spread infection.
It is accepted that the incidence of infection with a monofilament suture is significantly lower than with a braided one. [1]
Monofilament sutures are a surgical advancement because their structure facilitates passage through the tissues and prevents capillarity.
The table below summarises the characteristics, advantages and benefits of monofilament sutures
| Characteristics | Advantages | Benefits |
| Smooth, even surface | Excellent passage through the tissue | Minimal tissue trauma |
| Lack of capillarity | No wick effect, prevents spread of infection, applicable sutures | Less risk of post-operative infection, better healing, time-saving, even distribution of strain on the incision |
| Elasticity | Better knot security | Suture security |
B. Braun offers a large selection of monofilament sutures to cover practitioners‘ requirements.
This range of sutures is the one in which innovation is making rapid advances.
Complete Range of Synthetic Absorbable Monofilament Sutures
B. Braun offers surgeons a wide range of monofilament sutures in terms of resorption, with Monosyn® Quick short-term absorbable, Monosyn® mid-term absorbable, MonoPlus® long-term absorbable and Monomax® extra-long-term absorbable (unique on the market).
[1] Hochberg J, Meyer KM, Marion MD.; Suture Choice and Other Methods on Skin Closure; Surg Clin North Am. 2009 Jun;89(3):627-41.