Mechanical properties of coated absorbable multifilament suture materials

The mechanical properties of coated polyglactin 910 (Vicryl) and coated plyglycolic acid (Dexon) were defined. Scanning electron microscopy of 0 gauges of both materials showed some differences. Coated polyglycolic acid had minimal surface aberrations. Unknotted tensile strength measurements of gauges 1, 0, 00, and 000 demonstrated no statistically significant difference between the two materials. Both materials reached knot security at the 2=1=1=1 configuration. The in vivo tensile strength measurement of 0 gauges showed polyglactin 910 to be significantly stronger at 21 days. Histologic evaluation revealed no statistically significant difference between the materials.