Plain gut absorbable sterile surgical sutures are composed of purified connective tissue (mostly collagen) derived from the serosal layer of beef (bovine) intestines. They are packaged in a solution of 89% isopropanol, 10% water and 1% triethanolmaine.
The manufacture of catgut raw material, consisting of long ribbons of highly selected serosal tissue, ensures:
- Purity of collagen for optimal tensile strength and in-vivo performance
- Surface smoothness to facilitate knot run-down and knot strength, due to electronic polishing of each strand
Features
- Optimal tensile strength and in-vivo performance with mostly collagen purified connective tissue from the serosal layer of bovine intestines
- Packaged in a solution of 89% isopropanol, 10% water and 1% triethanolmaine
- Smooth surface for knot run-down, due to electronic polishing of each strand
- Indicated for use in general soft tissue approximation and ligation, including ophthalmic surgery, but not in cardiovascular or neurological surgery
Indications
Plain gut sutures are indicated for use in general soft tissue approximation and/or ligation, including use in ophthalmic surgery, but not in cardiovascular or neurological surgery.
Contraindications
The use of these sutures is contraindicated in patients with known sensitivities or allergies to collagen or chromium, as gut is a collagen based material and chromic gut is treated with chromic salt solutions.
Actions
PLAIN GUT sutures elicit a minimal acute inflammatory reaction in tissues characteristic of foreign body response to a substance. This is followed by gradual loss of tensile strength and suture mass, as the enzymatic process dissolves the surgical gut until it is completely absorbed.
Tensile Strength
Many variable factors may affect the rate of tensile strength loss. These include:
- Type of suture
- Presence of infection
- Tissue sites
Absorption
Absorption of PLAIN GUT sutures occurs by enzymatic process similar to the digestion of an animal protein by the body. Being enzymatic, the process is subject to different influencing factors (see above) and it is virtually impossible to indicate the exact designation of a consistent absorption time.
