Ethicon Prolene Suture USP 0, 1/2 Circle Round Body (NW846)
Pack Sizes Available
Product Description
Technical Specifications
- Material: Isotactic polypropylene — synthetic non-absorbable monofilament
- Model Code: NW846
- Suture Specification: USP size 0 (EP 3.5), blue monofilament, 90cm strand
- Needle: 30mm, 1/2 circle, round body taper-point — for soft tissue approximation and vascular anastomosis
- Absorbability: Non-absorbable — permanent mechanical support; no in vivo degradation
- Pack Size: 12 sutures per box
Frequently asked questions
Prolene is composed of isotactic polypropylene, a synthetic polymer that is chemically inert in biological environments. Unlike polyglycolic acid or polydioxanone sutures, which are hydrolysed by water in tissue, polypropylene does not absorb water to any meaningful extent and does not undergo hydrolysis or enzymatic degradation. It is therefore classified as non-absorbable and provides permanent mechanical support without any change in its tensile properties over time after implantation.
A round body (taper-point) needle has a tapered cone-shaped body that pushes through tissue rather than cutting it. The needle separates the tissue fibres and the suture follows through the separated path, after which the tissue tends to close back around the suture. This preserves the structural integrity of the tissue around the suture path. A cutting needle has a sharp edge along its length that cuts through tissue. Round body needles are used for soft, easily penetrated tissues like gastrointestinal and vascular tissue. Cutting needles are used for tougher fibrous tissue that requires a cutting action for penetration.
Prolene USP 0 on a round body needle is used for: fascial layer closure in abdominal surgery (as an alternative to polyglactin in cases where permanent support is preferred); hernia repair mesh fixation; vascular anastomosis in medium-calibre vessels; general soft tissue approximation and ligation in procedures where permanent suture material is indicated; cardiovascular tissue repair; and tendon and ligament repair where long-term structural support is required.
Polypropylene monofilament has significant elastic memory and a low friction coefficient, which means knots tend to slip if insufficient throws are placed. A minimum of 4 square throws are required for a secure knot in Prolene suture across most size ranges. The first throw should be a surgeon's throw (double first pass) to prevent loop tightening during placement of subsequent throws. In vascular anastomosis, a running suture is commonly used, with the knot at the end secured with multiple throws.
Yes. Prolene is composed entirely of isotactic polypropylene — a non-metallic, non-ferromagnetic polymer with no metallic components. Implanted Prolene sutures are fully MRI-compatible. They produce no metallic artifact on MRI imaging and do not heat, move, or interact with magnetic fields. Patients with permanent Prolene sutures in cardiovascular, abdominal, or musculoskeletal applications can undergo MRI examination without any restrictions related to the suture.
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.