From the Research
Vicryl (polyglactin 910) typically takes 56-70 days (8-10 weeks) to completely absorb in the body, while Vicryl Rapide absorbs much faster, usually within 42 days (6 weeks). The key difference is that Vicryl Rapide is designed for faster absorption through a process called irradiation, which weakens the polymer chains.
Key Differences
- Vicryl maintains approximately 65% of its tensile strength at 2 weeks and 40% at 3 weeks, providing longer support for wounds that need extended healing time.
- In contrast, Vicryl Rapide loses 50% of its strength within 5 days and has essentially no tensile strength by 10-14 days, making it ideal for superficial skin closures, especially in children or facial wounds where suture removal might be difficult.
Clinical Implications
- The faster absorption of Vicryl Rapide eliminates the need for suture removal in many cases, while standard Vicryl is better suited for tissues requiring longer support during healing.
- Both are made of the same base material but differ in their manufacturing process and resulting absorption timeline, as noted in studies such as 1 which compared poliglecaprone-25 and polyglactin-910 in cutaneous surgery.
Evidence Summary
- A study from 2 found that Vicryl was absorbed within six weeks, highlighting its suitability for certain surgical applications.
- Another study from 3 compared nylon and polyglactin 910 for closing punch biopsy sites, finding no significant difference between the two materials, further supporting the use of Vicryl in various surgical contexts.
- The most recent and relevant study 1 supports the notion that Vicryl and its rapid form have distinct absorption rates, influencing their application in surgery.