Frequently Asked Questions

  • What is the Velosorb™ Fast suture made of?
    Velosorb™ Fast braided sutures are composed of an absorbable synthetic polyester comprised of glycolide and lactide (derived from glycolic and lactic acids).
  • What is the coating made of?
    Velosorb™ Fast sutures are prepared by coating the suture with a mixture of a glycolide and lactide copolymer and calcium stearate.
  • What is the Velosorb™ Fast suture indicated for?
    Velosorb™ Fast sutures are indicated for use in soft tissue approximation of the skin and mucosa, where only 7-10 days of wound support is required. However, it is not indicated for use in ligation, opthalmic, cardiovascular or neurological procedures.
  • How is the Velosorb™ Fast suture absorbed?
    Progressive loss of tensile strength and eventual absorption of Velosorb™ Fast sutures occurs by means of hydrolysis, where the glycolide/lactide copolymer is broken down to glycolic and lactic acids which are subsequently absorbed and metabolized by the body.
  • How does the Velosorb™ Fast absorption process differ from Gut?
    Unlike the Velosorb™ Fast suture hydrolysis absorption process, Gut is absorbed through enzymatic degradation. This may cause inconsistent strength and absorption profiles of Gut based on the variable factors in enzymatic absorption and in the Gut material. The Velosorb™ Fast suture is predictable and offers less tissue reaction due to its consistent strength and absorption profile.
  • What are the contraindications for Velosorb™ Fast suture?
    Velosorb™ Fast sutures, being absorbable, should not be used where extended approximation of tissue beyond 7 days is required.
  • How is the Velosorb™ Fast suture supplied?
    • Velosorb™ Fast sutures are available in sizes 2-0 through 5-0
    • Available in undyed
    • On various needle types
    • Available in box quantities of 12 and 36
  • Why is the Velosorb™ Fast suture's strength measured as % USP Collagen Specification vs. more typical Kilograms of Force (KgF) measurement?
    Since the Velosorb™ Fast suture, and other fast absorbing braided products, are irradiated, the molecular structure has been altered. Thus, the standard criteria used to measure the strength of Gut and fast absorbing braided sutures is % USP Collagen Specification.
  • How long does it take for the Velosorb™ Fast suture to degrade?
    Absorption begins as a loss of tensile strength without appreciable loss of mass. Studies indicate tensile strength averages for Velosorb™ Fast sutures are no less than 45% of its original tensile strength 5 days post implantation. All of the original tensile strength is essentially gone by 14 days. Absorption of Velosorb™ Fast sutures is essentially complete between the 40th and 50th day.1


    1Velosorb™ Fast Mass Loss Meta Biomed vs. Sam Yang testing, conducted on April 30, 2012 by Covidien (Covidien Engineering Report No. FAB-004; data on file).
  • What is the corresponding suture in the Ethicon portfolio?
    VICRYL RAPIDE™*

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