Knowledge
Classification of Medical Sutures
As core medical devices used in surgical procedures for wound closure, tissue ligation, and repair, medical sutures are classified based on multiple dimensions such as material properties, clinical functions, and absorbability. Products in different categories vary significantly in their applicable scenarios and performance. Below is a detailed breakdown of their classification:
I. Classification by "Absorbability": Core Classification Dimension
This is the most commonly used classification method in clinical practice, dividing sutures into absorbable sutures and non-absorbable sutures based on whether they can be degraded and absorbed in the human body. The two categories differ greatly in materials, degradation mechanisms, and applicable scenarios.
II. Classification by "Material Source": Distinguishing Natural and Synthetic
Based on the source of raw materials, sutures are divided into natural material sutures & synthetic-material sutures which differ in biocompatibility, mechanical strength, and degradation performance.
1.Natural-Material Sutures
Advantages: Good biocompatibility, minimal tissue irritation, and some can be naturally degraded.
Disadvantages: Low mechanical strength, unstable degradation rate, and some materials (e.g., catgut) may cause allergic reactions or inflammation
Typical Types:
Catgut: Made from collagen extracted from the submucosa of sheep’s small intestine, it is a traditional absorbable suture commonly used for superficial suturing in general surgery。
Silk thread: A natural non-absorbable suture with good flexibility. It was once widely used for skin suturing but is gradually being replaced by synthetic threads due to its tendency to harbor bacteria.
Chitin thread: Made from chitin extracted from shrimp and crab shells, it is absorbable and has strong antibacterial properties, making it suitable for wounds with high infection risk.
2. Synthetic-Material Sutures
Advantages: High mechanical strength, controllable degradation rate (for absorbable types), strong tensile resistance, low allergenicity, and some products have antibacterial functions.
Disadvantages: Some synthetic threads (e.g., early PGA) may release acidic substances during degradation, causing mild irritation to local tissues.
Typical Types:
Polyglycolic acid (PGA): The first synthetic absorbable suture, which degrades quickly (in about 2–3 months) and is suitable for wounds that heal in a short period.
Polypropylene (PP): A non-absorbable suture with strong tensile resistance and chemical corrosion resistance, commonly used in vascular anastomosis and orthopedic surgery.
Polydioxanone (PDO): An absorbable suture that degrades slowly (in about 6–12 months) and maintains mechanical strength for a long time, making it suitable for deep tissues or wounds requiring long-term support (e.g., tension suturing in plastic surgery).
III. Classification by "Special Functions"
With the advancement of medical technology, sutures with special functions have gradually become market highlights, mainly including antibacterial sutures and smart sutures, which are designed to address pain points such as infection prevention and post-operative monitoring.
1.Antibacterial Sutures
2.Smart Sutures
3. Barbed Sutures
IV. Classification by "Physical Form": Monofilament and Multifilament
Based on the structural form of the suture, they are divided into monofilament sutures & multifilament sutures (braided sutures), which differ in flexibility, tensile resistance, and needle-threading difficulty.
Summary: Classification Logic and Clinical Selection
The classification of medical sutures essentially follows the principle of "matching performance to clinical needs". For example, absorbable sutures are preferred for deep tissue suturing (to avoid secondary suture removal), monofilament non-absorbable sutures are preferred for cardiovascular surgery (for thrombus resistance and long-term retention), and antibacterial sutures are preferred for wounds with high infection risk. With the development of materials science and medical technology, more new-type sutures combining "high biocompatibility, precise degradation, and intelligent monitoring" will emerge in the future, further meeting the needs of segmented clinical scenarios.
I. Classification by "Absorbability": Core Classification Dimension
This is the most commonly used classification method in clinical practice, dividing sutures into absorbable sutures and non-absorbable sutures based on whether they can be degraded and absorbed in the human body. The two categories differ greatly in materials, degradation mechanisms, and applicable scenarios.
II. Classification by "Material Source": Distinguishing Natural and Synthetic
Based on the source of raw materials, sutures are divided into natural material sutures & synthetic-material sutures which differ in biocompatibility, mechanical strength, and degradation performance.
1.Natural-Material Sutures
Advantages: Good biocompatibility, minimal tissue irritation, and some can be naturally degraded.
Disadvantages: Low mechanical strength, unstable degradation rate, and some materials (e.g., catgut) may cause allergic reactions or inflammation
Typical Types:
Catgut: Made from collagen extracted from the submucosa of sheep’s small intestine, it is a traditional absorbable suture commonly used for superficial suturing in general surgery。
Silk thread: A natural non-absorbable suture with good flexibility. It was once widely used for skin suturing but is gradually being replaced by synthetic threads due to its tendency to harbor bacteria.
Chitin thread: Made from chitin extracted from shrimp and crab shells, it is absorbable and has strong antibacterial properties, making it suitable for wounds with high infection risk.
2. Synthetic-Material Sutures
Advantages: High mechanical strength, controllable degradation rate (for absorbable types), strong tensile resistance, low allergenicity, and some products have antibacterial functions.
Disadvantages: Some synthetic threads (e.g., early PGA) may release acidic substances during degradation, causing mild irritation to local tissues.
Typical Types:
Polyglycolic acid (PGA): The first synthetic absorbable suture, which degrades quickly (in about 2–3 months) and is suitable for wounds that heal in a short period.
Polypropylene (PP): A non-absorbable suture with strong tensile resistance and chemical corrosion resistance, commonly used in vascular anastomosis and orthopedic surgery.
Polydioxanone (PDO): An absorbable suture that degrades slowly (in about 6–12 months) and maintains mechanical strength for a long time, making it suitable for deep tissues or wounds requiring long-term support (e.g., tension suturing in plastic surgery).
III. Classification by "Special Functions"
With the advancement of medical technology, sutures with special functions have gradually become market highlights, mainly including antibacterial sutures and smart sutures, which are designed to address pain points such as infection prevention and post-operative monitoring.
1.Antibacterial Sutures
2.Smart Sutures
3. Barbed Sutures
IV. Classification by "Physical Form": Monofilament and Multifilament
Based on the structural form of the suture, they are divided into monofilament sutures & multifilament sutures (braided sutures), which differ in flexibility, tensile resistance, and needle-threading difficulty.
Summary: Classification Logic and Clinical Selection
The classification of medical sutures essentially follows the principle of "matching performance to clinical needs". For example, absorbable sutures are preferred for deep tissue suturing (to avoid secondary suture removal), monofilament non-absorbable sutures are preferred for cardiovascular surgery (for thrombus resistance and long-term retention), and antibacterial sutures are preferred for wounds with high infection risk. With the development of materials science and medical technology, more new-type sutures combining "high biocompatibility, precise degradation, and intelligent monitoring" will emerge in the future, further meeting the needs of segmented clinical scenarios.