Vicryl

Vicryl is a brand name for a family of synthetic absorbable sutures made from polyglactin 910. It is produced by Ethicon, a subsidiary of Johnson & Johnson. Standard Vicryl sutures are braided and coated to improve handling and reduce tissue drag. Variants include Vicryl Rapide, a faster-absorbing form, and Vicryl Plus, which is coated with triclosan to help reduce bacterial colonization.

Polyglactin 910 is a copolymer of glycolide and lactide. Vicryl sutures are designed to be absorbed in the body over time through hydrolysis, with most of the material resorbed within several weeks to a few months, while retaining some tensile strength during the early postoperative period. The braided, multifilament construction offers good handling and knot security, but can harbor bacteria if not used with proper aseptic technique. The triclosan-coated version (Vicryl Plus) adds an antimicrobial property intended to reduce infection risk in contaminated or high-risk contexts.

Common clinical uses for Vicryl include soft tissue closure in general surgery, gynecology, urology, pediatrics, and plastics, as well as subcutaneous and mucosal closures. It is generally chosen when a temporary wound support is needed and long-term tensile strength is not required. It is less suitable for high-tension tissues or applications requiring prolonged strength, such as certain cardiovascular or orthopedic repairs.

In summary, Vicryl is a widely used synthetic absorbable suture made from polyglactin 910, valued for predictable absorption, handling, and knot security, with variants offering faster absorption or antimicrobial coating.