PGA vs PGLA Sutures — Material Comparison & Clinical Guide
What is PGA (Polyglycolic Acid)?
PGA is a synthetic absorbable polymer first introduced for surgical sutures in the 1970s. It is manufactured by ring-opening polymerization of glycolide. PGA sutures are braided, providing excellent handling and knot security. They undergo hydrolytic degradation in the body, losing approximately 75% of tensile strength by 2 weeks and complete absorption in 60-90 days. Desmo Care's DesmoNex is a coated PGA braided suture with polycaprolactone and calcium stearate coating for smooth tissue passage.
What is PGLA (Polyglactin 910)?
PGLA (polyglactin 910) is a copolymer made from 90% glycolide and 10% L-lactide. The addition of lactide modifies the degradation profile and handling characteristics compared to pure PGA. PGLA sutures are typically coated with a mixture of polyglactin 370 and calcium stearate. The most well-known PGLA suture is Ethicon's Vicryl. Both Desmo Care's DesmoNex and Ethicon's Vicryl belong to this PGA/PGLA family, offering comparable clinical performance.
Which should you choose?
For most general surgical applications, PGA and PGLA perform similarly. The choice often comes down to surgeon preference and institutional availability. PGA sutures like DesmoNex offer reliable medium-term tissue support with proven absorption profiles. In practice, many surgeons use the terms interchangeably because the clinical outcomes are comparable for standard soft tissue approximation. The key differentiator is typically the coating technology, which affects handling characteristics.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Feature | PGA (Polyglycolic Acid) | PGLA (Polyglactin 910) |
|---|---|---|
| Chemical Composition | Homopolymer of glycolic acid | Copolymer: 90% glycolide, 10% L-lactide |
| Structure | Braided multifilament | Braided multifilament |
| Tensile Strength at 2 Weeks | ~75% retained | ~65-75% retained |
| Complete Absorption | 60-90 days | 56-70 days |
| Tissue Support Duration | 28-35 days | 21-28 days |
| Tissue Reactivity | Minimal | Minimal |
| Handling | Good — smooth with coating | Excellent — enhanced coating |
| Knot Security | Very good | Very good |
| Common Brand Names | DesmoNex (Desmo Care), Dexon | Vicryl (Ethicon), Novosyn (B. Braun) |
| USP Sizes Available | 8/0 to 2 | 8/0 to 2 |
| Key Applications | General closure, pediatrics, oral surgery | General closure, gynecology, ophthalmology |
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is PGA the same as PGLA?
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No, but they are closely related. PGA (polyglycolic acid) is a homopolymer, while PGLA (polyglactin 910) is a copolymer of 90% glycolide and 10% L-lactide. The addition of lactide slightly modifies the degradation and handling properties. Clinically, both perform similarly for general soft tissue approximation.
Which absorbs faster — PGA or PGLA?
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PGLA typically absorbs slightly faster (56-70 days) compared to PGA (60-90 days). However, the tissue support duration is comparable at 21-35 days for both. The clinical difference is minimal for most surgical applications.
Is Vicryl a PGA or PGLA suture?
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Vicryl (Ethicon) is a PGLA (polyglactin 910) suture — a copolymer of 90% glycolide and 10% L-lactide. Desmo Care's DesmoNex is a PGA-based suture that provides equivalent clinical performance as a direct alternative to Vicryl.
What is the Desmo Care equivalent of a PGA suture?
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DesmoNex is Desmo Care's coated PGA braided absorbable suture, providing 28-35 days of tissue support with 75% tensile strength retention at 2 weeks. It is ISO 13485 certified and CE marked.
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.