Tensile properties of suture materials.

The tensile properties of three new sutures, two non-absorbable and one absorbable material, have been evaluated and compared with those of polypropylene and nylon sutures. It was found that the five materials differed significantly in their tensile strengths and elastic/plastic deformation characteristics but displayed comparable elongations at failure. All sutures showed a decrease in failure load and elongation at failure when knotted. Most materials showed an increased tensile strength and decreased elongation at failure for smaller suture gauges, and this behaviour is thought to be related to their internal molecular organization.