Sutures are among the most essential tools in veterinary surgery. From closing incisions to repairing tissues, the right suture ensures wound strength, precise healing, and minimal complications. For veterinarians, understanding the types of surgical sutures and how to choose them based on material, strength, and absorption rate is crucial for achieving successful outcomes.
Each surgery, species, and tissue type requires a specific suture material that offers the right balance between tensile strength, flexibility, and tissue response. Whether used for midline laparotomy, fascia repair, or vascular anastomosis, sutures act as silent partners in the healing process. This guide explores every major suture type, its structure, and its purpose in veterinary practice.
Understanding Suture Materials
Suture materials are the foundation of wound closure in veterinary surgery. They are classified by their origin, composition, and absorption properties. Broadly, sutures are divided into absorbable and non-absorbable categories, with further distinctions between natural and synthetic types.
Absorbable sutures dissolve within the body through hydrolysis or enzymatic reaction, depending on their composition. They are typically used in tissues that heal quickly, such as internal organs, fascia, or subcutaneous layers. Non-absorbable sutures, on the other hand, provide long-term or permanent support for tissues requiring extended strength, such as skin or tendon repairs.
Natural materials like silk and catgut have been used for centuries. However, advancements in synthetic sutures such as Polydioxanone (PDO), Polymer of Glycolic Acid (PGA), and Poliglecaprone (PGCL) have provided more predictable performance and reduced tissue reactions. The structural form also influences performance, monofilament sutures are smooth and resist bacterial growth, while multifilament sutures offer flexibility and better knot security.
Choosing the correct material involves understanding how the tissue heals, the expected foreign body reaction, and how long the suture must maintain tensile strength before being absorbed or removed.
Absorbable Sutures
Absorbable sutures are used in tissues that regain strength within weeks or months. These materials gradually degrade inside the body through hydrolysis (synthetic sutures) or enzymatic reactions (natural sutures), eliminating the need for removal.
Polydioxanone (PDO) Sutures
PDO sutures are monofilament absorbable sutures that provide long-term tensile strength, typically absorbed within 180 to 210 days. They maintain durability throughout healing, making them ideal for fascia, tendon, and midline laparotomy closures. Because of their low tissue reactivity, PDO sutures are excellent for procedures requiring extended support such as vascular anastomosis and mass closure.
PGCL Sutures
PGCL, or Poliglecaprone, is another monofilament absorbable suture known for its smooth texture and minimal tissue drag. It absorbs within 3–4 months and is preferred for subcutaneous and internal tissue closures where healing occurs moderately fast.
