Nonabsorbable sutures

Alternative Names: Polypropylene (Prolene), SIlk, Polyster (Ethibond)

Nonabsorbable sutures are made from materials that do not dissolve in the body and must be removed once the wound has healed (unless placed internally for permanent support). They are commonly used for skin closure, tendon repair, or high-tension areas where long-term strength is needed. Materials include nylon, polypropylene (Prolene), silk, and polyester (Ethibond), which provide durable tensile strength and minimal tissue reactivity. These sutures maintain wound edge approximation until natural healing occurs. Typically, they are removed within 5–14 days, depending on the wound location and healing rate.

Treatment Type: Device

Treatment Class: N/A

Treatment Modality: N/A

Nonabsorbable sutures

Review Summary

5.0

1 Reviews

Preferred by 1 Reviewers

Based on the review by Dr. Curbside, nonabsorbable sutures are highly effective for treating lacerations, especially on the face, providing excellent wound edge approximation, tensile strength, and control. They are crucial for optimal healing and cosmetic results, though they require removal after a specific period (5-14 days) to minimize potential scarring and irritation.

This summary was generated by users' reviews

Breakdown by Category

Each categories are rated on a 1–5 scale, with 5 being the most favorable outcome and 1 being the least. These scores are averaged across all user reviews to provide a clear sense of how this treatment typically performs in each area.

Cost
3.0
1 = Very Expensive 5 = Very Affordable

3.0

Moderate Cost
Relief Speed
5.0
1 = No Relief 5 = Immediate Relief

5.0

Immediate Relief
Side Effects
5.0
1 = Intolerable Effect 5 = No Effect

5.0

No Effect
Treatment Line
5.0
1 = Third-line or more 5 = First-line

5.0

First-line

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5.0

1 Reviews
5
100%
4
0%
3
0%
2
0%
1
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AI Summary of User Experiences

Not medical advice.

Based on the review by Dr. Curbside, nonabsorbable sutures are highly effective for treating lacerations, especially on the face, providing excellent wound edge approximation, tensile strength, and control. They are crucial for optimal healing and cosmetic results, though they require removal after a specific period (5-14 days) to minimize potential scarring and irritation.

Reviews

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Cost
Very Expensive
$1000+
Expensive
$501 to $1000
Moderate Cost
$101 to $500
Affordable
$25 to $100
Very Affordable
$25
Relief Speed
No Relief
No noticeable improvement
Slow Relief
Several days to weeks
Moderate Relief
Within 1 - 3 days
Fast Relief
Within hours
Immediate Relief
Within minutes
Side Effect
Intolerable Side Effect
Caused treatment to stop or required hospitalization
Severe Side Effect
Difficult to tolerate, may require intervention
Moderate Side Effect
Noticeable, but manageable
Mild Side Effect
Minor, not bothersome
No Side Effect
Without any adverse effects
Treatment Line
Third-line or more
Used after second-line failed or multiple prior treatment
Second-line
Used after first-line treatment failed or was unsuitable
First-line
First treatment tried
Dr. Curbside

Dr. Curbside

Verified
Physician • Emergency Medicine • How doctors think about decisions — and what real-world experiences add
1 month ago
Nonabsorbable sutures are the initial go-to treatment for most lacerations, particularly on the face and other areas under high tension, where precise wound edge approximation is essential for optimal healing and cosmetic results. They provide excellent tensile strength and control, allowing for accurate closure and reduced risk of wound separation. Because they do not dissolve, these sutures must be removed once adequate healing has occurred to minimize scarring and irritation. Typically, sutures on the face are removed in about 5 days, while those on the scalp, trunk, or extremities may remain for up to 10–14 days, depending on the site and depth of injury.
#ModerateCost #ImmediateRelief #NoEffect #First-line #Rescue/EmergencyUse
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