Vicryl vs Monocryl: what's the difference?
Both are absorbable, but one is braided and one is a monofilament. Here's how they differ in strength, absorption and where surgeons use them.
Vicryl and Monocryl are two of the absorbable sutures you’ll see most in the OR. Both are made by Ethicon and both dissolve on their own, but they handle differently and hold for different lengths of time.
The short answer
| Vicryl | Monocryl | |
|---|---|---|
| Material | Polyglactin 910 | Poliglecaprone 25 |
| Structure | Braided | Monofilament |
| Strength at 2 weeks | About 75% | Undyed 20–30%, dyed 30–40% |
| Strength gone by | 5 weeks | 28 days |
| Fully absorbed | 56–70 days | 91–119 days |
| Common use | Soft tissue approximation and ties | Subcuticular skin closure |
Braided vs monofilament
Vicryl is braided. Many fine strands are woven together. Braided suture handles well and knots hold securely, which is why it’s used for ties and deeper layers.
Monocryl is a single strand. It slides through tissue smoothly, which makes it a favorite for running subcuticular closures, where the suture is pulled through the skin edge again and again.
How long they hold
Vicryl keeps more strength early: about 75% at 2 weeks, 50% at 3 weeks and 25% at 4 weeks, with none left by 5 weeks.
Monocryl loses strength faster. Undyed Monocryl has 50–60% at 1 week and 20–30% at 2 weeks. Dyed Monocryl holds a little longer: 60–70% at 1 week and 30–40% at 2 weeks. Both are gone by 28 days.
Monocryl takes longer to fully absorb (91–119 days, compared with 56–70 days for Vicryl), even though it stops holding sooner.
Where you’ll see each one
- Vicryl: general soft tissue approximation and ligation, such as subcutaneous layers and tying off vessels. Not for tissue that needs extended support under stress.
- Monocryl: subcuticular closure, soft tissue approximation and ligation. Ethicon’s labeling says it is not for fascia or abdominal wall closure.
From the back table: if the surgeon is closing skin with a running stitch under the surface, expect Monocryl. If they’re tying or closing a deeper layer, Vicryl is the usual ask.
Look up the exact codes
Sources
- Ethicon Suture Chart (J&J MedTech)
- Ethicon Absorbable and Non-Absorbable Sutures chart, US
- Ethicon vs Medtronic Suture Comparison Chart (J&J MedTech)
- Ethicon Wound Closure Manual
Always check the package insert for the product you're using.