Suture Materials for NEET-PG and INI-CET — Compare, Choose, Size

Suture questions in NEET-PG and INI-CET compare materials on three axes — absorption, structure and tissue reaction — or ask which suture fits a tissue. These two tables cover both kinds.

Practise Surgery PYQs FreeView Plans

Last verified: 5 October 2026 against StatPearls: Facial Laceration Repair (NCBI Bookshelf) and Comparative absorption study of PDS, poliglecaprone 25 and glycomer 631 (PubMed).

Quick Answer

Absorbable sutures by strength retention, shortest to longest: poliglecaprone 25 → polyglactin 910 → polydioxanone (catgut is the natural absorbable). Non-absorbable: polypropylene (least reactive, vascular), nylon, polyester, silk (natural) and steel wire. Monofilaments resist infection; braided sutures knot better. More zeros in the size means a thinner thread.

Compare the common sutures

SutureAbsorptionStructureKey point
Polyglactin 910 (Vicryl)AbsorbableBraidedIntermediate strength retention; subcutaneous layers, ligatures
Poliglecaprone 25 (Monocryl)AbsorbableMonofilamentShortest strength retention of the common synthetics; subcuticular skin
Polydioxanone (PDS)AbsorbableMonofilamentLongest strength retention of the common absorbables; fascia, where prolonged support is needed
CatgutAbsorbableTwisted, naturalEnzymatic breakdown, marked tissue reaction
Polypropylene (Prolene)Non-absorbableMonofilamentLeast reactive, glides through tissue; vascular anastomosis
NylonNon-absorbableMonofilamentSkin closure, removed after healing
Polyester (Ethibond)Non-absorbableBraidedHigh, durable strength; cardiac and orthopaedic use
SilkNon-absorbableBraided, naturalBest handling and knotting, more tissue reaction
Stainless steelNon-absorbableMono / twisted wireStrongest; sternal closure

Which suture for which tissue

TissueTypical choice
Skin (removed later)Nylon or polypropylene, cutting needle
Skin (buried, no removal)Poliglecaprone 25, subcuticular
Subcutaneous tissuePolyglactin 910
Abdominal fasciaPolydioxanone or another long-lasting / non-absorbable suture
Blood vesselsPolypropylene, round-bodied needle
BowelAbsorbable such as polyglactin 910, round-bodied needle
SternumStainless steel wire

These are typical textbook choices; surgeons vary them with the wound, tension and patient. Exams test the reasoning: long support needs a long-lasting suture, vessels need a smooth low-reactivity monofilament, and skin that will be checked again can take a non-absorbable suture that is removed later.

Sizes, needles and removal

  • Reading the size: count the zeros — the higher the count, the finer the thread, so 6-0 suits the face and vessels.
  • Cutting / reverse-cutting needle for skin; round-bodied (taper) needle for bowel and vessels.
  • Removal timing depends on blood supply and tension: the face heals fastest and its sutures come out first; scalp roughly 7–10 days; tense wounds last.

Surgery is among the heaviest subjects in both exams; see its most-asked chapters on the most repeated topics page.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the least reactive suture material?▼
Among commonly used sutures, polypropylene is known for very low tissue reactivity and smooth passage through tissue, which is why it is preferred for vascular anastomosis. Natural materials such as catgut and silk provoke more reaction.
Rank Vicryl, PDS and Monocryl by how long they hold tissue together.▼
By tensile strength retention: poliglecaprone 25 (Monocryl) loses strength fastest, polyglactin 910 (Vicryl) is intermediate and polydioxanone (PDS) holds longest. Note that this is not the same as complete absorption of the material, which takes longer and follows a different order.
Is silk absorbable?▼
Silk is classed as non-absorbable, although it slowly loses strength in tissue over a long period. It is a natural, braided suture with excellent handling.
What do suture sizes like 4-0 mean?▼
Suture size runs in zeros: the more zeros, the thinner the thread. A 6-0 suture is finer than 4-0, which is finer than 2-0.
When is a round-bodied needle used instead of a cutting needle?▼
Round-bodied (taper) needles are for soft tissue such as bowel and blood vessels, where they part the tissue without cutting it. Cutting and reverse-cutting needles are for tough tissue such as skin.
Based on StatPearls surgical chapters
Comparison tables
Built for NEET-PG and INI-CET

Ready to Start Practicing?

Start Free Practice

No credit card required