Description

UNIGUT's Chromic Catgut Suture is a natural, absorbable suture crafted from purified collagen sourced from the submucosal layers of healthy sheep, goat, or bovine intestines. This suture is expertly treated with chromic salts, enhancing its performance by delaying absorption and minimizing tissue reactivity. Such treatment provides extended wound support, making it particularly beneficial compared to plain catgut sutures.

Key Features

• Absorbability: The suture's absorbable nature eliminates the need for removal, as it is gradually absorbed by the body through enzymatic proteolysis.
• Chromic Treatment: The chromic treatment prolongs absorption time and reduces tissue reaction, offering a reliable solution for various surgical needs.
• Color and Structure: Typically brown or dark brown, the suture's twisted multifilament structure presents a monofilament appearance, ensuring a smooth surface for easy passage through tissue.
• Sterility: Each suture is supplied sterile, with sterilization achieved through ethylene oxide or gamma irradiation, ensuring safety and effectiveness.

Handling and Performance

The suture boasts excellent handling properties, including good knot security and flexibility. It is intended for single use only and should not be resterilized. The absorption process completes typically within 20 to 40 days, with some variations extending to 90 to 120 days. Initial tensile strength is retained for 10 to 21 days, providing about 50% of its initial strength after 21 to 28 days, thus supporting tissues that require longer healing periods.

Applications

Chromic Catgut Suture is suitable for general soft tissue approximation and ligation across various surgical fields, including:

• General surgery
• Obstetrics and gynecology
• Gastrointestinal tract surgery
• Urology
• Orthopedic surgery
• Ophthalmic surgery
• Veterinary surgery

It is not recommended for use in cardiovascular or neurological tissues.

Needle Options and Packaging

The suture is available with or without pre-attached needles, offering a range of needle types such as round bodied, cutting edge, and taper point. Needles are crafted from stainless steel, providing robust performance. Available in USP sizes ranging from 6/0 to 3, the sutures are packaged in sterile conditions, often in alcohol solutions to maintain flexibility. Packaging includes options with aluminum foil packs, color-coded brown for easy identification, in quantities of 12, 24, or 36 per box.

Storage and Precautions

Proper storage below 25°C and 50% relative humidity is advised, away from direct heat and moisture. The suture should not be dipped, soaked, or run through solutions before use. Standard surgical knot-tying techniques are recommended, with additional throws if necessary. Users should be aware of potential tissue reactions or sensitivities due to the biological material of animal origin. Reuse or resterilization is not advised.

Compliance

The suture meets the United States Pharmacopoeia (USP) requirements for natural absorbable surgical sutures and is classified as a Class III medical device where applicable, ensuring adherence to high standards of medical quality and safety.