Wound Closure

We stock a range of Ethicon wound closure products for different requirements. There’s bound to be something suitable in our selection, maybe even your senior consultant’s preferred type. If they trained in the USA, the chances are they will be familiar with the Ethicon range, as the brand is very popular there.

Our selection of Johnson & Johnson items includes Vypro and Physiomesh for hernia repair, Proceed surgical mesh and Ethisorb for cranial surgery. In addition, there is a selection of mesh products and sutures for wound closure and use in general soft tissue repair. These are available in Vicryl (absorbable) and Prolene (non-absorbable) ranges.

Vicryl (polyglactin 910), part of the Ethicon wound closure products range, is a copolymer synthetic suture which is absorbable. It is usually braided and can be used in approximation and ligation of soft tissue.

It will hold in place for between two and three weeks before gradually being absorbed over the following weeks. Typically, it is totally absorbed through acid hydrolysis within 70 days. Vicryl sutures are suitable for use in ophthalmic procedures, microsurgery for vessels less than 2mm diameter and peripheral nerve anastomosis.

They should not be used for cutaneous wounds exposed to the air as this could risk introducing bacteria or irritants to the wound. The manufacturer also advises against their use in cardiovascular procedures and in areas where the tissue is likely to be under stress during extended approximation.

Vicryl mesh bags can be used for a variety of temporary wound closures or solid organ support. Vicryl mesh is often used in abdominal closure and can also be used for hernia repair.

Prolene is a synthetic polypropylene suture which is non-absorbable. Like Vicryl, it can be used for general soft tissue approximation and ligation, but because it is non-absorbable it is suitable for skin closure as well. It is durable, but can be fragile and therefore more difficult to use than standard nylon suture material. It is also quite expensive. This monofilament suture is generally dyed blue to assist with visibility when operating.

Prolene sutures for wound closure are suitable for use in cardiovascular, ophthalmic and neurological procedures and can be used together with Monocryl absorbable sutures.

Prolene’s versatility allows it to be used in cardiac and vascular surgery or in obstetrics during cesarean sections. In mesh form, Prolene can also be used for fascia and hernia repair.

Ethicon has been manufacturing sutures and wound closure devices for 135 years. It became a subsidiary of Johnson & Johnson in 1949, at about the same time as its market share rose dramatically.

Whether you are looking for Ethicon wound closure products at a reasonable price, or to buy surgical mesh, Medical Sutures can help. If you have any questions, our contact form is on the last tab to the right and our email address is just above it.