Product Manual

in tissue and possess the same handling and knot construction characteristics as
the natural fiber, silk sutures (Sofsilk™).
Polyester sutures (Surgidac™, TiCron™) are comprised of fibers of polyethylene
terephthalate, a synthetic linear polyester derived from the reaction of a glycol
and a dibasic acid. Polyester sutures were the first synthetic braided suture
material shown to last indefinitely in tissues. Their acceptance in surgery was
initially limited because the suture had a high coefficient of friction that interfered
with passage through tissue and with the construction of a knot. When the
sutures were coated with a lubricant, polyester sutures gained wide acceptance in
surgery. This coating markedly reduced the suture’s coefficient of friction, thereby
facilitating knot construction and passage through tissue. The TiCron™ polyester
sutures are coated with silicone, while the surface lubricant for Surgidac™ is
polybutylene adipate. Because some surgeons prefer to tie sutures with a high
coefficient of friction, the Surgidac™ sutures are also available without a surface
coating.
The polybutester suture (Novafil™) is a block copolymer that contains butylene
terephthalate (84%) and polytetramethylene ether glycol terephthalate (16%).
III. scientific basis for the selection of surgical sutures (cont’d)
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