Ethicon PDS Plus Antibacterial Polydioxanone Suture PDP9262T
Pack Sizes Available
Product Description
Technical Specifications
- Material: Polydioxanone + triclosan (Irgacare MP) antibacterial coating — synthetic absorbable monofilament
- Model Code: PDP9262T
- Suture Specification: USP size 1 (EP 4), violet monofilament, 150cm loop (two-needle loop configuration)
- Needle: CTX heavy — 1/2 circle taper-point; large gauge for major abdominal fascia
- SSI Reduction Evidence: ~30% SSI risk reduction vs non-coated sutures (31 RCTs, >14,000 patients, BJS meta-analysis)
- Absorption: Complete absorption by hydrolysis: 182-238 days
Frequently asked questions
The most comprehensive evidence comes from a meta-analysis published in the British Journal of Surgery (de Jonge et al., 2017) analysing 31 randomised controlled trials with over 14,000 patients, which showed a nearly 30% reduction in the risk of surgical site infection with triclosan-coated sutures compared to non-coated sutures. This is Level 1A evidence — the highest level in the evidence hierarchy. Based on this data, NICE (National Institute for Health and Care Excellence) issued guidance in 2021 recommending triclosan-coated sutures as part of the SSI prevention care bundle in the NHS.
No. The triclosan coating in PDS Plus does not alter the mechanical properties of the polydioxanone monofilament. Published data confirms that PDS Plus has the same tensile strength, elongation, knot pull strength, and absorption profile as PDS II. In vivo testing by surgeons cited in Ethicon's clinical data confirms equivalent handling, knotting, and performance to non-coated PDS II. The triclosan is applied as a surface coating after the suture extrusion process and does not enter the polymer matrix.
The 'T' in the Ethicon product code denotes a loop (or looped) suture configuration. A loop suture has both ends finished with needles, and the strand is looped — when the loop is passed through the tissue and both needles used to place the suture, the closing of the loop creates an automatic anchor point. This configuration is used in specific abdominal wall closure techniques including the double-stranded (loop) mass closure, where the loop provides the anchor and both needles close the fascia simultaneously from each side of the incision.
In vitro testing by Ethicon and confirmed in peer-reviewed literature demonstrates that PDS Plus inhibits bacterial colonisation on its surface for 17 days when tested against E. coli and 23 days against S. aureus. This covers the critical early post-operative period (first 2-3 weeks) when SSI risk is highest — the window when surgical wounds are still healing and when bacteria, if present in the wound, have the highest potential to establish a biofilm on the suture surface. After the antibacterial activity period, the suture continues to provide mechanical support until its normal absorption timeline.
PDS Plus is indicated for soft tissue approximation including use in paediatric cardiovascular tissue where growth is expected, and ophthalmic surgery (other than contact with the cornea or sclera). It is not indicated for use in adult cardiovascular tissue, microsurgery, or neural tissue — the same restrictions as standard PDS II. These contraindications relate to the underlying polydioxanone material properties rather than the triclosan coating, which is inert and safe across all indicated applications.
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 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 MONOCRYL (Poliglecaprone 25) Suture Y494G
Wound closure after elective facial surgery, delicate subcuticular skin closure, ophthalmic procedures, and any case where the surgeon wants the suture to dissolve cleanly within a few weeks without inflammation — this is where MONOCRYL earns its position as one of the most prescribed synthetic absorbable sutures in the world. Ethicon MONOCRYL is a synthetic absorbable monofilament suture composed of a copolymer of glycolide and epsilon-caprolactone (poliglecaprone 25). The glycolide-caprolactone chemistry was specifically engineered to produce a material with a short absorption timeline and a very low tissue reactivity profile — properties that distinguish it from older absorbable monofilaments. The absorption profile is predictable: MONOCRYL retains approximately 50-60% of its original tensile strength at 7 days and approximately 20-30% at 14 days post-implantation, with complete mass absorption by hydrolysis occurring within 90-120 days. The short strength retention window makes MONOCRYL the ideal choice for skin closure and subcuticular closures where the wound only requires suture support for 7-10 days, after which the healed tissue provides its own strength. For procedures requiring prolonged tissue support, polydioxanone (PDS II) or polyglactin (Vicryl) are more appropriate. The Y494G designation identifies a specific product: size 4-0 (EP 1.5), undyed (not violet), single strand 18" (45cm), P-3 needle (13mm, 3/8 circle, precision reverse cutting). The undyed formulation is preferred for cosmetically sensitive skin closure where violet pigment visibility at the skin surface is undesirable. The P-3 needle is a small, precise needle suited for delicate tissue passage. For surgical suture distributors, MONOCRYL is a high-volume, consistently ordered product across surgical, obstetric, and aesthetic surgery segments. Sara Wellness exports Ethicon sutures internationally.