How Veterinary Suture Material Impacts Surgical Outcomes in Animals

Veterinary surgical success depends on more than precision, it hinges on the quality and suitability of the veterinary suture material used. Every suture interacts differently with tissue, influencing inflammation, infection risk, and overall wound healing. Whether in routine spay procedures or complex orthopedic repairs, choosing the right suture ensures strength, biocompatibility, and long-term success.

What is Veterinary Suture Material?

Veterinary suture material refers to the specialized threads used to close wounds or surgical incisions in animals. These materials provide mechanical support during the healing process and vary in composition, absorbability, strength, and flexibility. They may be absorbable, degrading naturally within the body, or non-absorbable, requiring manual removal. Each material, whether synthetic or natural, is designed to optimize tissue healing, minimize inflammation, and ensure safe, predictable recovery for animal patients.

Why Suture Material Matters in Veterinary Surgery

The choice of suture material determines surgical success through key performance factors such as initial tensile strength, knot security, suture handling, and tissue reaction. Proper selection ensures the wound remains stable during healing and prevents complications like infection or dehiscence.

Different tissues heal at different rates: fast-healing tissues like skin or mucosa require short-term support, while slow-healing structures such as tendons and fascia need sutures that maintain strength longer. This is why understanding the difference between absorbable and non-absorbable sutures is essential for every veterinary surgeon.

PGA (Polymer of Glycolic Acid) – Reliable Mid-Term Absorption

PGA is a braided and coated multifilament absorbable suture with an absorption time of 60–90 days. It is ideal for soft tissue closures, gastrointestinal surgery, and internal ligations, providing smooth handling, excellent knot security, and predictable mid-term absorption suitable for general veterinary use.

PGA sutures, branded as ASSUFIL®, are among the most widely used synthetic absorbable sutures in veterinary surgery. Made from Polymer of Glycolic Acid, PGA provides mid-term wound support, retaining around 80-90% of its initial tensile strength in the first week after implantation.

Features and Benefits:

• Excellent knot security: The braided, coated structure ensures superior friction grip for stable knots.

   

• Smooth handling: The special coating minimizes tissue drag and enhances suture handling in both continuous and interrupted patterns.

   

• Predictable absorption: The hydrolytic process guarantees steady degradation, minimizing risk of premature loss of strength.

   

• Reduced tissue reaction: Synthetic composition ensures low inflammation compared to natural alternatives like silk.

   

Veterinary Uses:
PGA sutures are preferred in small animal soft-tissue surgeries, abdominal wall closures, and bowel suturing, where mid-term support is essential for smooth recovery. Their reliability and ease of handling make them a staple in both clinical and academic veterinary settings.

PGCL (Poli (Glicolide-co-ε-Caprolactone)) – Flexible Monofilament for Precise Healing

PGCL is a monofilament absorbable suture that offers flexibility, smooth tissue passage, and low tissue reactivity. With an absorption time of 90–120 days, it is widely used for internal closures, urogenital surgeries, and laparoscopic procedures, ensuring consistent healing with minimal inflammation.

PGCL sutures, part of Assut’s MONOFIL® line, are monofilament absorbable sutures designed for superior handling, flexibility, and minimal tissue drag. The polymer blend of glycolide and ε-caprolactone ensures balance between tensile retention and pliability.

Features and Benefits:

• Exceptional smoothness: The monofilament design reduces capillarity and friction, enabling clean tissue passage.

   

• Consistent absorption: Hydrolytic degradation ensures predictable resorption between 3–4 months.

   

• Low tissue reaction: The synthetic polymer minimizes enzymatic or inflammatory response, ideal for sensitive tissues.

   

• High tensile strength: PGCL maintains up to 50% strength after one week, ensuring reliable support during early healing phases.

   

Veterinary Uses:
PGCL is ideal for internal closures, urogenital surgeries, and laparoscopic operations where precise suturing and minimal trauma are required. Its monofilament structure prevents bacterial ingress, making it valuable in areas prone to contamination.

PDO (Polydioxanone) – Long-Term Strength for Slow-Healing Tissues

PDO is a monofilament absorbable suture designed to provide long-term tissue support, with a controlled absorption period of 180–210 days. Marketed as ASSUFIL MONOFILAMENTO®, this material maintains approximately 70% of its initial tensile strength after 28 days and remains structurally stable for up to six months before full absorption. Its durable monofilament design ensures smooth passage through tissue with minimal trauma, while its hydrolytic degradation process guarantees predictable absorption and reduced inflammatory response.

For advanced surgical efficiency, FILBLOC® suture (Barbed PDO) offers a knotless absorbable solution, ideal for high-precision procedures requiring uniform tension distribution. Its barbed structure eliminates the need for traditional knots, saving time and enhancing closure consistency during surgery.

Features and Benefits:

• Durable monofilament structure: Ensures smooth passage with minimal tissue trauma.

   

• Extended support: Perfect for orthopedic, tendon, and abdominal wall closures.

   

• Predictable degradation: Hydrolytic absorption eliminates sudden loss of strength.

   

• Minimal tissue reactivity: Its synthetic nature prevents excessive inflammation, promoting steady healing.

   

Veterinary Uses:
ASSUFIL MONOFILAMENTO and FILBLOC® sutures are preferred for orthopedic surgery, tendon reconstruction, hernia repairs, and mass closure of midline laparotomies. Their extended tensile reliability provides lasting wound support, reducing risks of dehiscence while promoting optimal recovery in animals.

Chromic Catgut – Natural Absorbable Suture for Biologic Compatibility

Chromic Catgut is a twisted multifilament natural absorbable suture that absorbs within 90–120 days, with tensile strength loss in 15–20 days after implantation. It is commonly used for soft tissue approximation, mucosal closures, and ligations, offering natural biocompatibility and controlled enzymatic absorption.

ASSUCROM® Chromic Catgut remains one of the most trusted natural absorbable sutures in veterinary medicine. Derived from purified collagen of bovine intestines, it offers a biologic alternative for surgeons who prefer natural materials. The chromic treatment slows enzymatic absorption, making it suitable for moderate healing timelines.

Features and Benefits:

• Natural composition: Excellent biocompatibility with animal tissues.

   

• Controlled absorption: Chromic treatment ensures gradual enzymatic degradation within 90–120 days.

   

• Adequate strength retention: Maintains tensile strength for 15–20 days post-implantation.

   

• Smooth handling: Twisted multifilament provides flexibility for easy knot-tying.

   

Veterinary Uses:
Chromic Catgut is widely used for soft tissue surgeries, mucosal closures, and ligations where a short to medium absorption profile is required. Its ease of use and natural properties make it valuable in general veterinary practice.

Assunyl (Polyamide 6 / 6,6) – Non-Absorbable Strength for External Closures

Assunyl Polyamide 6 is a monofilament non-absorbable suture designed for permanent use in skin closures, external suturing, and orthopedic fixation. Its smooth surface ensures easy passage through tissue with minimal reaction, making it ideal for durable external closures and clean postoperative healing.

ASSUNYL sutures made from Polyamide 6 / 6,6 (Nylon) are among the most durable non-absorbable monofilament sutures available. They provide consistent strength, smooth handling, and minimal tissue reaction. Nylon is particularly suitable for external wound closures where long-term strength and removal control are necessary.

Features and Benefits:

• Permanent support: Does not degrade in the body, ideal for skin and orthopedic use.

   

• Minimal tissue reactivity: Synthetic structure ensures low inflammation and reduced scarring.

   

• Excellent knot security: Forms stable square knots in both interrupted and continuous patterns.

   

• Smooth passage: Minimizes friction and bacterial adherence during external healing.

   

Veterinary Uses:
Polyamide sutures are commonly used in dermal closures, orthopedic repairs, and external wound suturing for both small and large animals. They ensure long-term stability and clean healing, with removal depending on the wound.

Performance Factors That Influence Surgical Success

• Initial tensile strength: Determines how long the suture supports tissues before degradation or removal.

   

• Knot security: Ensures stability of closure and prevents loosening.

   

• Suture handling: Impacts ease of placement, particularly during complex or minimally invasive procedures.

   

• Tissue reaction: Low-reactivity materials like PDO and PGCL promote faster healing with fewer inflammatory responses.

   

• Tissue healing: Matching suture strength and absorption time to tissue type ensures optimal recovery without premature failure.

   

Veterinary surgeons must select sutures that balance these properties according to surgical site, species, and procedure type. For a deeper understanding of surgical sutures, check out Complete Guide to Choosing Veterinary Surgical Sutures for Your Practice.

Tissue Reaction and Inflammation Control

In animals, foreign body reaction varies with material type. Synthetic sutures such as PGA, PGCL, and PDO trigger minimal inflammation due to hydrolytic absorption, while Chromic Catgut may produce mild enzymatic irritation. Non-absorbable nylon sutures show minimal reaction but require removal once healing completes.

Proper aseptic technique, suture selection, and handling reduce postoperative complications and promote effective tissue recovery. Maintaining moist wound environments and using appropriate antiseptics are also vital for minimizing infection and ensuring predictable results.

Conclusion: Trusted Veterinary Suture Solutions by Gexfix

The choice of veterinary suture material defines the success of every surgical outcome, from wound closure to complete tissue recovery. Whether using absorbable sutures like PGA, PGCL, PDO, and Chromic Catgut or non-absorbable nylon sutures like Assunyl, each material offers unique benefits tailored to specific surgical needs.

As the official distribution partner of Assut Europe S.P.A., Gexfix International Corp. provides veterinarians with certified, high-performance sutures developed for safety, precision, and biocompatibility. From routine soft-tissue procedures to complex orthopedic and microvascular surgeries, Gexfix ensures your practice has access to the right materials for consistent, high-quality care.

Explore our range of Assut Europe veterinary sutures and experience how science-backed innovation leads to stronger healing, smoother performance, and better outcomes for every animal.

FAQs

1. What is veterinary suture material?

Veterinary suture material refers to specialized surgical threads used to close wounds or surgical incisions in animals. They can be absorbable (degrading naturally in the body) or non-absorbable (requiring removal), depending on the procedure and healing requirements.

2. What is the best suture for a dog's skin?

For skin closures in dogs, non-absorbable monofilament sutures like Polyamide 6 (Assunyl) are preferred. They offer durability, minimal tissue reaction, and smooth passage through the skin, ensuring secure wound healing with easy removal post-recovery.

3. What kind of stitches do vets use?

Veterinarians commonly use absorbable sutures like PGA, PGCL, PDO, or Chromic Catgut for internal tissues and non-absorbable sutures like nylon for external closures. The choice depends on tissue type, healing time, and the need for long-term or temporary support.

4. How does suture material affect wound healing?

 

Suture material influences tissue reaction, healing time, and infection risk. Synthetic monofilaments like PDO and PGCL promote smooth healing with minimal inflammation, while natural sutures like Chromic Catgut may cause mild enzymatic reactions during absorption.

 

5. Why is choosing the right veterinary suture material important?

 

Selecting the correct suture material ensures strong wound closure, optimal healing, and minimal inflammation. It balances tensile strength and absorption rate, helping veterinarians achieve better surgical outcomes and long-term animal recovery without complications.