Vicryl

Vicryl™ (polyglactin 910) is an absorbable, synthetic, braided suture. It is indicated for soft tissue approximation and ligation, and holds its tensile strength for approximately three to four weeks in tissue. Vicryl may also be treated for more rapid breakdown in rapidly healing tissues (Vicryl Rapide), or impregnated with triclosan to provide antimicrobial protection of the suture line (Vicryl PLUS). The Vicryl PLUS are manufactured by Ethicon, an umbrella company of Johnson & Johnson; separate since 1949. The Plus version of Coated VICRYL* (polyglactin 910) Suture provides the same excellent performance and handling with the added benefit of antibacterial protection, as stated by Johnson and Johnson Gateway.

There have been a numerous cases of infections reported that have resulted from the use of Vicryl sutures. As stated by the Food & Drug Administration in a 1994 recall of their sutures, due to improper sterilization procedures, Ethicon acted non-compliant in the matter. Many potential litigants never made it to the courtroom, as Ethicon made, and continues to make out of court settlements with those whom have product liability damages against them; as a result of the use of their sutures in the surgical procedures. As of 1999, 2,700,000+ of the Vicryl sutures were still unaccounted for after the recall, five years earlier.

Although the name "Vicryl" is a trademark of Ethicon, the term "vicryl" has become something of a generalized trademark referring to any synthetic absorbable suture made primarily of polyglycolic acid. Other brands of polyglycolic acid suture include Visorb, Polysorb and Dexon, all of which are manufactured by different companies.