Yes, Vicryl (Polyglactin 910) Subcutaneous Sutures Are Dissolvable
Vicryl is an absorbable synthetic suture material that dissolves through controlled depolymerization and is widely used for subcutaneous closure in surgical procedures. 1, 2
Material Properties and Absorption
Vicryl (polyglactin 910) is a braided multifilament synthetic absorbable suture that undergoes slow depolymerization and dissolution over time, eliminating the need for removal 1
The material maintains relatively high tensile strength initially but is designed to be absorbed by the body through hydrolysis 2
Rapidly-absorbing variants like Vicryl Rapide are specifically designed to eliminate the need for suture removal, making them particularly useful for subcutaneous and subcuticular closures 3, 4
Clinical Applications in Subcutaneous Closure
Vicryl has been successfully used for subcutaneous closure in multiple surgical contexts, including general surgery, cesarean delivery, and vaginal repair 5, 6
In cesarean delivery, both standard Vicryl and the antimicrobial-coated version (Vicryl Plus) are acceptable options for subcutaneous and subcuticular closure 5
A comparative study of 871 cesarean patients found that 4-0 Vicryl subcuticular closure resulted in similar surgical site infection rates (6.1%) compared to monofilament alternatives 6
Important Clinical Considerations
While Vicryl is absorbable, it is a multifilament (braided) suture, which theoretically may harbor more bacteria than monofilament options 6
Some guidelines suggest monofilament absorbable sutures (like poliglecaprone/Monocryl) may be preferable for subcutaneous closure due to less bacterial seeding 3, 4
Rare tissue reactions including inflammation, granuloma formation, and extrusion have been reported 3-8 weeks post-operatively with Vicryl, though these are uncommon 7
Triclosan-coated Vicryl (Vicryl Plus) demonstrates reduced surgical site infection rates compared to standard Vicryl (OR 0.62,95% CI 0.44-0.88) 5
Practical Recommendations
Vicryl can be safely used for subcutaneous closure and will dissolve without requiring removal 1, 2
For optimal infection prevention, consider using the antimicrobial-coated version (Vicryl Plus) when available 5
Avoid overly tight sutures that can strangulate tissue and impair healing 4
Monitor for signs of infection or tissue reaction in the first 8 weeks post-operatively, though complications are rare 7