Ethicon PDS II Polydioxanone Suture NW9262
Pack Sizes Available
Product Description
Technical Specifications
- Material: Polydioxanone (PDS) — synthetic absorbable monofilament
- Model Code: NW9262
- Suture Specification: USP size 1 (EP 4), violet monofilament, 150cm strand
- Needle: 50mm, 1/2 circle, round body heavy (taper-point)
- Strength Retention: 70% at 2 weeks; 50% at 4 weeks; 25% at 6 weeks post-implantation
- Absorption: Complete absorption by hydrolysis: 182-238 days
PDS II (polydioxanone) maintains approximately 70% of its original tensile strength at 2 weeks post-implantation, approximately 50% at 4 weeks, and approximately 25% at 6 weeks. This prolonged strength retention profile means PDS II continues to provide meaningful mechanical support through the complete primary wound healing phase, making it suitable for closure of structures that bear significant mechanical load — abdominal fascia, tendon repairs, and other tissues where short-acting absorbable sutures would lose their support too early.
PDS II is plain polydioxanone — the standard formulation without any additives. PDS Plus is the same polydioxanone monofilament with an additional triclosan antibacterial coating, designed to inhibit bacterial colonisation on the suture surface and reduce the risk of surgical site infection. PDS Plus provides an additional layer of infection prevention at no change in mechanical properties. For high-risk patients (obese, diabetic, immunocompromised) or contaminated or clean-contaminated cases, PDS Plus is preferred. For standard elective clean cases, PDS II is the standard option.
A round body needle with a taper point pushes through tissue rather than cutting it — the pointed tip separates tissue fibres, and the round body of the needle passes through the separated path without creating a cutting-edge track. For fascial tissue, which has high tensile strength due to its organised collagen fibre structure, a cutting needle creates a wider, weaker needle track than the suture's own diameter. With a round body needle, the tissue closes back around the suture without the widened track, reducing the risk of suture pullout under tension during post-operative loading.
Yes. PDS II is indicated for use in paediatric cardiovascular surgery where tissue growth is expected to occur at the suture site. In adults, permanent non-absorbable sutures (polypropylene) are used for most cardiovascular repairs because permanent support is required. In paediatric cases, the suture site may need to accommodate tissue growth over time, and a suture that is still present many years after surgery can restrict this growth — PDS II's absorption by approximately 6-8 months allows the tissue to grow normally while still providing the structural support needed during the critical healing period.
The Jenkins rule for abdominal closure recommends a suture length to wound length ratio of at least 4:1, achieved by taking bites approximately 1cm from the wound edge and 1cm apart in a running mass closure suture of the full thickness of the fascia (and peritoneum in many protocols). PDS II size 1 on a 150cm strand provides sufficient length for most laparotomy closures. Small bite size closure (5mm bites, 5mm apart) has become increasingly preferred following evidence of lower burst abdomen rates compared to larger bite techniques.
Ethicon Ethilon Non-Absorbable Nylon Suture NW3336
Nylon sutures occupy a specific position in the suture inventory that is not easily replaced: strong, smooth, non-reactive, and available in fine enough diameters to close skin on the face with minimal scarring. They are the suture of choice for skin closure, where the material will be removed after healing, and where the primary requirements are tissue-friendly passage, minimal scarring, and reliable knot security for the duration of healing. Ethicon Ethilon is a monofilament nylon suture — a single continuous filament of long-chain aliphatic polyamide polymer (Nylon 6 and Nylon 6.6) that provides a smooth, low-drag tissue passage without the interstices of a braided structure that could harbour bacteria. The monofilament structure also provides spring-back memory (the suture tends to return to its original straight shape when removed from the packaging), which requires more throws per knot to achieve secure knotting but also means the suture does not wick fluids along its length. The NW3336 is a specific product code identifying: USP size 2-0 (EP 3), black monofilament, with a 45mm 3/8 circle reverse cutting needle, and a 70cm strand length. The reverse cutting needle has a cutting edge on the outer (convex) curve of the needle, which reduces the risk of suture pullout through tissue compared to conventional cutting needles (which cut toward the wound margin). The 45mm needle provides good tissue clearance for general wound closure applications where the tissue thickness requires a larger needle radius. Black dye provides high visual contrast against skin and tissue for easy suture identification during placement and at removal. The 70cm working length provides adequate material for medium-length wound closures without excess strand to manage. For surgical supply distributors, Ethilon is one of the most widely ordered non-absorbable suture products — a standard skin closure option in virtually every surgical tray configuration. Sara Wellness exports Ethicon sutures to distributors internationally.
Ethicon Ethibond Excel Polyester Suture W4846 (USP 5, V-55, 4x75cm, Green)
Cardiovascular surgery, orthopaedic repairs, fascial closure in abdominal procedures, ophthalmology, neurological tissue fixation — these are not situations that tolerate a suture that degrades, stretches, or loses its tensile strength after placement. The tissues being approximated need to remain approximated indefinitely. The suture is expected to maintain its mechanical properties for the life of the patient. Ethicon Ethibond Excel is a non-absorbable braided polyester suture — polyethylene terephthalate (PET) monofilament fibres woven into a braided multifilament structure and coated with polybutylate, a unique coating compound developed by Ethicon. Polybutylate is a semi-crystalline co-polymer that bonds to the polyester braid mechanically rather than as a surface film, providing a coating that does not flake off or degrade over time. The coating gives Ethibond Excel its characteristic smooth tissue passage and handling properties without the coating failure that can occur with wax or silicone coatings on other braided sutures. The W4846 designation identifies a specific needle-strand combination: USP size 5 (EP gauge 6) green braided suture, four 75cm strands per package, fitted with the V-55 needle — a large, heavy-gauge 1/2 circle taper-cut needle designed for tough, fibrous tissue that requires more cutting force than a standard taper-point would provide. The V-55 needle is commonly used in large orthopaedic applications, fascial repair, and tendon surgery. The green dyeing provides high visual contrast against tissue, which is a clinical priority in procedures where suture retrieval and knot identification must be rapid and unambiguous. The braided structure provides reliable knot security — critical in permanent sutures where post-operative knot slippage would compromise the repair. For surgical supply distributors, Ethibond Excel is a standard catalogue item in suture product ranges, particularly those serving orthopaedic, cardiovascular, and general surgery units. Sara Wellness exports Ethicon surgical sutures to medical distributors internationally.
Ethicon PDS Plus Antibacterial Polydioxanone Suture PDP9262T
Surgical site infection is a problem that clinical practice has been trying to solve since surgery began. Despite every advance in antibiotic prophylaxis, operating theatre ventilation, skin preparation, and surgical technique, SSI rates in major abdominal surgery remain a consistent source of patient morbidity, prolonged hospitalisation, and healthcare cost. The triclosan-coated suture was developed specifically to add an additional layer of protection at the one place that antibiotics and environmental controls cannot reach: the surface of the implanted suture itself. Ethicon PDS Plus Antibacterial Suture is polydioxanone monofilament — the same material, same absorption profile, same tensile properties, and same handling characteristics as PDS II — with the addition of triclosan (Irgacare MP), a broad-spectrum bacteriostatic agent coated onto each strand. Triclosan inhibits fatty acid synthesis in bacteria, disrupting their ability to form and maintain cell membranes. When bacteria attempt to colonise the suture surface, they encounter an antibacterial concentration that prevents biofilm establishment. In vitro data from Ethicon and peer-reviewed publications demonstrate that PDS Plus maintains antibacterial activity against S. aureus, MRSA, S. epidermidis, MRSE, E. coli, and K. pneumoniae for 17-23 days post-implantation. Clinical trial data (meta-analysis of 31 RCTs with over 14,000 patients) shows approximately 30% reduction in SSI risk with triclosan-coated sutures compared to non-coated equivalents. The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE, UK) specifically recommends triclosan-coated sutures as part of the SSI prevention care bundle. PDP9262T is a loop suture configuration: two needles attached to the ends of a 150cm strand looped through a single anchor — a format used for certain abdominal wall closure techniques where the loop is threaded through the wound and both needles close the fascia from opposite ends simultaneously. The CTX needle is a large, heavy 1/2 circle taper-point needle suitable for major abdominal fascia. Sara Wellness exports Ethicon antibacterial sutures to surgical distributors internationally.