Ethicon Vicryl Suture USP 0, 1/2 Circle Round Body (NW2346)
Pack Sizes Available
Product Description
Technical Specifications
- Material: Polyglactin 910 braided (90% glycolide, 10% L-lactide) — coated with polyglactin 370 and calcium stearate
- Model Code: NW2346
- Suture Specification: USP size 0 (EP 3.5), violet braided, 90cm strand
- Needle: 40mm, 1/2 circle, round body — for general soft tissue and fascial closure
- Strength Retention: 75% at 14 days; 50% at 21 days; 25% at 28 days
- Absorption: 56-70 days complete mass absorption by hydrolysis
Frequently asked questions
Coated VICRYL is coated with a mixture of polyglactin 370 and calcium stearate. Polyglactin 370 (a higher molecular weight copolymer of glycolide and L-lactide) provides a substrate for the coating, while calcium stearate acts as the lubricant that gives the coated suture its characteristic smoothness. This coating reduces the tissue drag during passage through tissue, reduces the force required to slide knot throws to the tissue surface during tying, and reduces the incidence of tissue tearing from suture friction in delicate tissue. The calcium stearate is absorbed along with the suture during the hydrolytic process.
Yes. Coated VICRYL is one of the few absorbable synthetic sutures specifically indicated for ophthalmic procedures, including conjunctival and strabismus surgery. However, it is not indicated for cardiovascular or neurological tissue applications. The 7-0 and 8-0 sizes of Coated VICRYL are the standard ophthalmic versions, while the larger sizes (0, 1, 2) are used in general, obstetric, and gynaecological surgery. The ophthalmic-grade versions come with the appropriate spatula or taper needle types for corneal and conjunctival work.
Coated VICRYL retains approximately 75% of its original tensile strength at 14 days post-implantation, approximately 50% at 21 days, and approximately 25% at 28 days. These values are consistent across the size range including USP 0. This strength retention profile provides adequate wound support through the primary healing phase (approximately 3-4 weeks), after which the suture progressively loses strength as absorption begins. Complete mass absorption by hydrolysis occurs between 56 and 70 days.
Coated VICRYL and VICRYL Rapide are both polyglactin 910 sutures, but they differ in their absorption timeline. VICRYL Rapide has a significantly accelerated absorption profile — approximately 50% tensile strength at 5 days and complete absorption by 42 days — making it appropriate for superficial skin closure and mucosal wounds that heal rapidly and where suture removal is inconvenient. Coated VICRYL has the standard profile (25% strength at 28 days, absorption 56-70 days) and is used for deeper tissues requiring support through the full primary healing phase.
Vicryl sutures should be stored in a cool, dry place away from heat sources and direct sunlight. The packaging should not be opened until the suture is ready for use. Sutures should not be resterilised or reused. The suture should not be crushed, kinked, or left in contact with sharp instruments or rough surfaces before use. When removing from the packaging, use the pull-tab provided to avoid contaminating the suture with handle contact. Sutures approaching or beyond their expiry date should not be used, as the hydrolytic process that will eventually absorb the suture in tissue also progresses slowly in storage.
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.