How Monofilament vs Multifilament Suture Performs in Veterinary Procedures

In veterinary surgery, sutures are the unsung heroes that determine how well an animal heals after a procedure. From cesarean section closures and tendon repairs to abdominal wall reconstruction and orthopedic operations, the type of suture material chosen defines not just the quality of closure but the long-term recovery of the patient.

One of the most essential distinctions in suture selection lies in their physical construction, monofilament vs multifilament sutures. Understanding how each behaves during and after surgery is vital for ensuring optimal wound healing, reduced infection risk, and efficient handling for veterinary professionals.

Understanding Suture Construction

The construction of a suture refers to how the material is formed, and it directly impacts handling, tensile strength, infection control, and tissue response. Veterinary surgical sutures are primarily categorized as monofilament or multifilament, and they can be further divided based on their absorbability and composition (synthetic or natural).

Monofilament Sutures

A monofilament suture is made from a single, continuous strand of material. Its smooth, uniform surface glides through tissue easily, minimizing drag and reducing trauma during insertion. Because it lacks spaces or braids, it does not harbor bacteria or fluids, making it ideal for surgeries in contaminated or infection-prone areas.

However, monofilament sutures are less pliable and can exhibit what’s called a “memory effect”, where the suture tends to spring back into its packaged shape. This can make knot tying more challenging, requiring extra care and additional throws to secure each knot firmly.

Veterinary surgeons prefer monofilament sutures when performing abdominal wall closures, tendon repairs, and laparoscopic procedures, where precision and minimal tissue reaction are crucial.

How Monofilament Sutures Perform in Veterinary Procedures

Monofilament sutures like ASSUFIL PDO, PGCL, and ASSUNYL nylon are widely used in veterinary surgeries due to their smooth surface, tensile reliability, and low tissue reactivity.

• Reduced Infection Risk: The single-strand design prevents bacterial infiltration and fluid retention, making them ideal for contaminated or infection-prone environments.

   

• Predictable Absorption: Synthetic polymers such as Polydioxanone (PDO) and PGCL degrade via hydrolysis, providing consistent absorption timelines that align with tissue healing.

   

• Tensile Strength: PDO sutures maintain up to 60–70% tensile strength for 3 weeks, ensuring long-term tissue support for slow-healing structures like fascia or tendons.

   

• Applications: Commonly used in abdominal wall closures, orthopedic surgeries, laparoscopic operations, and vascular procedures.

   

Despite their slight stiffness, modern manufacturing techniques have improved flexibility and knot security, making ASSUFIL monofilament sutures dependable for critical procedures where long-term stability is essential.

Multifilament Sutures

Multifilament sutures, on the other hand, are made by twisting or braiding several filaments together. This structure provides greater flexibility and superior handling compared to monofilaments. The increased friction between fibers offers excellent knot security, allowing surgeons to achieve firm, reliable knots with fewer throws.

The trade-off, however, is that the braided design can trap fluids and bacteria, which may increase the risk of infection in contaminated surgical fields. This phenomenon is known as capillarity. Despite this, multifilament sutures remain popular for internal closures, soft-tissue repairs, and areas with low infection risk because of their excellent handling and reliable performance.

The choice between the two ultimately depends on the surgical site, healing speed, and the surgeon’s handling preference.

How Multifilament Sutures Perform in Veterinary Procedures

Multifilament sutures, such as ASSUFIL PGA and ASSUCROM Chromic Catgut, provide unmatched handling and ease of use. Their braided or twisted design enhances knot stability, making them suitable for internal tissue closures and surgeries requiring secure approximation.

• Superior Knot Security: Due to friction between the braided filaments, multifilament sutures hold knots firmly with fewer throws, saving surgical time.

   

• Enhanced Handling: These sutures are flexible and easy to control, even in confined spaces.

   

• Versatility: Ideal for soft-tissue surgeries, cesarean section closures, and hand-sewn bowel anastomosis in animals.

   

• Natural Absorption: ASSUCROM Chromic Catgut is enzymatically absorbed by the body over 90–120 days with tensile strength loss in 15-20 days from implantation, providing sufficient wound support during early healing phases.

   

Although multifilaments are more prone to bacterial retention, they remain invaluable in clean surgical environments due to their comfort and performance.

Key Comparison: Monofilament vs Multifilament in Veterinary Practice

Feature	Monofilament Sutures	Multifilament Sutures
Structure	Single smooth strand	Braided or twisted strands
Tissue Drag	Minimal	Moderate
Knot Security	Requires more throws	Excellent, fewer throws
Handling	Slightly stiff	Soft and flexible
Infection Risk	Low	Higher (due to capillarity)
Tensile Strength Retention	High, long-lasting	Moderate, decreases faster
Absorption Predictability	Consistent	Varies by environment
Typical Veterinary Use	Orthopedic, abdominal, contaminated wounds	Soft tissue, gastrointestinal, cesarean closures
Examples (Our Range)	PDO, PGCL, Polyamide 6	PGA, Chromic Catgut

Veterinary surgeons often balance ease of use and infection control when selecting sutures. Monofilaments are used for precision and strength, while multifilaments are preferred for maneuverability and knot reliability. There are also different timelines on how long suture should stay in for each type. 

Clinical Applications in Veterinary Surgery

Abdominal and Orthopedic Procedures

For large animal surgeries or mass closure of a midline laparotomy, ASSUFIL PDO monofilament sutures offer long-term tensile strength and controlled absorption. They maintain structural integrity for up to 180–210 days, ensuring secure support during prolonged healing.

Soft Tissue and Cesarean Section Closures

In procedures involving delicate or flexible tissues, such as cesarean sections or intestinal closures, PGA multifilament sutures are often preferred. Their pliability and knot stability facilitate accurate approximation without tissue damage.

Tendon and Ligament Repairs

For tendon or ligament repair, PDO and Polyamide 6 sutures are used due to their exceptional tensile retention and resistance to elongation under tension. These sutures minimize slippage and enhance structural recovery.

Mucosal or Internal Closures

Chromic Catgut (ASSUCROM) is favored for mucosal sutures and internal soft-tissue closures, where short-term tensile strength and natural absorption are desired. It dissolves enzymatically over 90–120 days, with tensile strength loss occurring in the first 15–20 days.

Skin and External Closures

ASSUNYL Polyamide 6 (Nylon) sutures remain a gold standard for skin closures and external sutures. They are durable, inert, and easy to remove, with minimal inflammatory reaction, making them ideal for post-operative cosmetic and functional outcomes.

Handling Characteristics: Knot Security and Memory

Handling Characteristic	Monofilament Sutures	Multifilament Sutures
Knot Security	The smooth surface requires additional throws to ensure secure knot formation.	Braided texture provides excellent grip and superior knot security with fewer throws.
Memory Effect	May retain coiled shape from packaging, requiring careful tension control and handling.	Minimal memory effect; flexible and easy to manipulate during surgery.
Tissue Reaction	Synthetic materials like PDO and PGCL show minimal inflammatory response.	Natural sutures like Chromic Catgut may cause mild enzymatic reactions during absorption.

These handling factors influence the surgeon’s preference based on the type of animal, tissue condition, and surgical environment.

Conclusion

The difference between monofilament and multifilament sutures is not about superiority but suitability. Each type brings unique benefits: monofilaments for clean, strength-critical procedures and multifilaments for precision and easy handling.

Gexfix International Corp., the official distributor of Assut Europe S.P.A., provides a full range of veterinary suture materials, including ASSUFIL (PGA, PGCL, PDO), ASSUCROM (Chromic Catgut), and ASSUNYL (Polyamide 6), designed to meet the complex needs of modern animal surgery.

Whether for soft tissue repair, tendon reconstruction, or abdominal closure, Gexfix delivers reliable, certified sutures that help veterinary surgeons perform with confidence and achieve optimal patient outcomes.

FAQs

1. What are monofilament sutures?

Monofilament sutures are made from a single, smooth strand of material. They pass easily through tissue with minimal drag, reducing infection risk and inflammation. Common veterinary examples include PDO, PGCL, and Polyamide 6 (nylon).

2. What are multifilament sutures?

Multifilament sutures consist of several braided or twisted filaments that offer excellent handling and knot security. They’re flexible and easy to manipulate, commonly used in soft-tissue closures and internal procedures.

3. What are examples of monofilament sutures?

Examples include Polydioxanone (PDO), Polyamide 6 (nylon), and PGCL sutures. These are ideal for abdominal wall closures, orthopedic repairs, and laparoscopic surgeries where long-term tensile strength and low infection risk are priorities.

4. What are examples of multifilament sutures?

Common examples are Polymer of Glycolic Acid (PGA) and Chromic Catgut. Their braided or twisted structures make them reliable for mucosal, subcutaneous, and soft-tissue repairs in clean surgical environments.

5. How do monofilament and multifilament sutures differ in handling?

Monofilaments are smoother and resist bacterial adherence but have a memory effect requiring extra throws. Multifilaments handle better and tie securely but may increase infection risk due to capillarity.