Monofilament sutures are single strands — they glide through tissue easily, cause less trauma, and resist bacterial colonization. Multifilament (braided) sutures are stronger and have better knot security, but can wick bacteria into the wound. The India surgical sutures market forecast shows that monofilament sutures are growing faster, especially in vascular and ophthalmic surgery, where smoothness is critical.
What's driving the shift? Better manufacturing. Modern monofilaments are less likely to kink or break. And coatings (like silicone or PTFE) make them even smoother. The India surgical sutures market trends highlight that general surgery remains the largest application, but cardiothoracic and plastic surgery are the fastest‑growing — because they demand precision and cosmetic results.
But multifilament still has a place. For closing a hernia mesh or a tendon, you need the strength and knot‑holding ability of a braided suture. One size doesn't fit all.
The bottom line: there's no best suture — only the right suture for the right job. A good surgeon knows which to use where.