Nylon vs Prolene (Polypropylene) Sutures — Complete Comparison
What are Nylon (Polyamide) sutures?
Nylon sutures are made from polyamide polymer, available as monofilament or braided configurations. As a monofilament, nylon offers smooth tissue passage with minimal tissue drag. However, nylon undergoes slow hydrolytic degradation in vivo, losing approximately 15-20% of tensile strength per year. This makes it a 'relatively permanent' rather than truly permanent suture. Nylon has excellent elasticity, which can be advantageous in tissues subject to swelling. Desmo Care's DesmoMid is a polypropylene monofilament suture that provides truly permanent tissue support.
What are Polypropylene (Prolene) sutures?
Polypropylene sutures are truly non-absorbable monofilament sutures that maintain tensile strength indefinitely in tissue. Unlike nylon, polypropylene does not undergo hydrolytic degradation. It has the lowest tissue reactivity of any suture material, making it ideal for contaminated wounds or tissues prone to infection. Polypropylene has excellent plasticity (low memory), meaning it lies flat against tissue. Desmo Care's DesmoMid provides all the benefits of polypropylene monofilament technology at competitive pricing.
Which should you choose?
Choose polypropylene when permanent tensile strength is critical — cardiovascular surgery, hernia repair, fascial closure, or any application requiring long-term wound support. Choose nylon when some elasticity is beneficial, such as skin closure where post-operative swelling is expected, or when braided configuration is preferred for better handling. For most permanent applications, polypropylene is the safer choice because of its zero degradation profile.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Feature | Nylon (Polyamide) | Polypropylene (Prolene) |
|---|---|---|
| Chemical Composition | Polyamide 6 or 6,6 | Isotactic crystalline polypropylene |
| Structure | Monofilament or braided | Monofilament only |
| Tensile Strength Over Time | Loses 15-20% per year (hydrolysis) | Permanent — no degradation |
| Tissue Reactivity | Minimal | Lowest of all suture materials |
| Elasticity | High — excellent stretch recovery | Low — high plasticity |
| Memory | Moderate — some spring-back | Very low — lies flat |
| Knot Security | Good — multiple throws recommended | Moderate — requires extra throws |
| Tissue Drag | Very low (monofilament) | Very low (monofilament) |
| Infection Risk | Low (monofilament) | Lowest available |
| Desmo Care Product | DesmoMid | DesmoMid |
| Key Applications | Skin closure, tendon repair, ophthalmology | Cardiovascular, hernia, contaminated wounds |
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Frequently Asked Questions
Does nylon suture dissolve over time?
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Nylon sutures are classified as non-absorbable, but they do undergo slow hydrolytic degradation, losing approximately 15-20% of tensile strength per year in tissue. They are not truly permanent. For applications requiring permanent tissue support, polypropylene (DesmoMid) is the better choice as it maintains tensile strength indefinitely.
Why do surgeons prefer Prolene for cardiovascular surgery?
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Polypropylene (Prolene/DesmoMid) is preferred for cardiovascular surgery because: (1) it maintains tensile strength permanently — critical for vascular anastomoses, (2) it has the lowest tissue reactivity, reducing thrombotic risk, (3) its monofilament structure resists bacterial colonization, and (4) its plasticity allows it to conform to vessel walls without distortion.
Is DesmoMid equivalent to Prolene?
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Yes. DesmoMid is Desmo Care's polypropylene monofilament non-absorbable suture, providing the same permanent tissue support as Ethicon's Prolene. Both are ISO 13485 certified and CE marked, manufactured from the same base polypropylene polymer.
Which suture is better for skin closure — nylon or polypropylene?
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Both are excellent for skin closure. Nylon's superior elasticity makes it slightly preferred when post-operative swelling is expected, as it accommodates tissue expansion. Polypropylene is preferred when minimal tissue reactivity is paramount, such as in cosmetic surgery. For most routine skin closures, the choice comes down to surgeon preference.
Need help choosing the right suture?
Our interactive Suture Selector tool recommends the best Desmo Care product based on your surgical specialty, tissue type, and clinical requirements.