PDS II vs. Monocryl: Choosing Monofilament Absorbable Sutures for Your Formulary

THE SHORT ANSWER

PDS II and Monocryl are the two Ethicon monofilament absorbable sutures on most U.S. facility formularies. They look similar - both are single-strand absorbables with low tissue drag - but their strength curves and roles are quite different. PDS II (polydioxanone) holds about 50% of its tensile strength at 6 weeks and absorbs fully in 180-210 days, which is why it is the standard choice for fascia and other closures needing extended support. Monocryl (poliglecaprone 25) holds 50-60% at 1 week, drops to 20-30% by 2 weeks, and absorbs in 91-119 days - which makes it the workhorse for subcuticular skin closure where a clean cosmetic result matters. Most facilities stock both; for procurement, the decision is sizing the formulary to the case mix and ordering by the case at wholesale.

PDS II and Monocryl serve different roles in an absorbable formulary, but both are Ethicon monofilament absorbables used across general, gynecologic, and many other surgical specialties. For procurement and materials managers, the practical question is rarely "which one is better" - it is how much of each to stock, in which sizes, and how to keep both lines reliably on hand at wholesale prices. This guide compares the two from that buyer perspective, with clinical selection for any case staying where it belongs: with the surgical team.

For broader context on absorbable sutures and how PDS II and Monocryl fit alongside braided options like Vicryl, see our absorbable sutures procurement guide.

What Are PDS II and Monocryl Sutures?

Both PDS II and Monocryl are monofilament absorbable sutures - single strands of synthetic polymer that pass through tissue with low drag and resorb through hydrolysis on a predictable curve. The monofilament construction matters from an infection-control standpoint: braided sutures have interstices where bacteria can colonize, and CDC NHSN data continues to show surgical site infections remain a major focus of HAI surveillance, with SSIs accounting for roughly 17% of all healthcare-associated infections nationally.

The two differ in the polymer used, which sets the strength curve. PDS II is made from polydioxanone, a slowly absorbing polymer that gives the suture extended retention. Monocryl is made from poliglecaprone 25, engineered for low tissue drag and a smooth pass through skin, with shorter retention.

PDS II vs. Monocryl: A Side-by-Side Buyer's Comparison

The clearest way to size each line on a formulary is to look at the strength curves head-to-head. The table below pairs each suture with its actual tensile retention and absorption profile from Ethicon product data and published in-vivo studies.

Figures reflect Ethicon product literature and published in-vivo studies. Dyed Monocryl retains strength slightly longer than the undyed variant.

Why Surgeons Pick PDS II

PDS II is the absorbable monofilament chosen when a closure needs support over an extended healing interval. Fascial closure is by far the most common use case - the abdominal wall takes weeks to regain meaningful strength, and a suture that drops out of usable strength too early creates risk. The combination of monofilament construction (lower infection risk than braided) plus 6-week strength retention is why PDS II remains the default for abdominal fascial closure at most U.S. facilities. It is also stocked for selected pediatric and cardiovascular work where extended retention matters.

Because these are specific applications rather than high-frequency closures, PDS II typically represents a smaller portion of overall absorbable suture volume than Vicryl or Monocryl - but a meaningful one in heavier USP sizes (0, 1, 2).

Why Surgeons Pick Monocryl

Monocryl's combination of monofilament construction and shorter strength retention makes it the workhorse for subcuticular skin closure, where the smooth pass of a monofilament leaves a cleaner cosmetic result than a braided alternative. Published comparison studies have associated Monocryl with less reactive scarring than Vicryl Rapide for certain closures, which is part of why Monocryl 3-0 through 5-0 is the high-turn skin-closure reference at many surgery centers and outpatient dermatology lines.

Monocryl is also chosen for soft-tissue approximation when the surgeon prefers a monofilament alternative to braided Vicryl. It turns over at a steady pace and typically holds a larger share of monofilament absorbable stock than PDS II - which is why Monocryl belongs in case-quantity ordering and PDS II usually does not.

PDS Plus: The Antibacterial Option

Ethicon also offers PDS Plus, a triclosan-coated version of PDS II designed to reduce bacterial colonization on the suture itself. The clinical evidence on triclosan-coated sutures has matured significantly: a 2024 meta-analysis of 11 RCTs (10,234 patients) published in Hernia found triclosan-coated PDS reduced SSI rates after fascial closure from 20.1% to 17.5% compared to uncoated PDS (Depuydt et al., 2024). A March 2025 systematic review in JAMA Network Open reached a similar conclusion. For procurement, that data has made PDS Plus a credible formulary upgrade in high-volume abdominal closure environments.

Sizing the Monofilament Absorbable Formulary

For a buyer, the decision is not which suture is "better" - it is how much of each to stock and in which sizes. The case mix drives everything:

• Heavy abdominal / general surgery volume: PDS II 0, 1 are the workhorses; Monocryl plays a supporting role.
• Outpatient surgery, dermatology, pediatric: Monocryl 3-0 through 5-0 is the daily driver; PDS II is minimal.
• Mixed surgery center (most ASCs): a balanced spread of both lines, with Monocryl in higher unit count and PDS II in heavier sizes.

The practical formulary approach is to set par levels for each line based on historical usage, then standardize on a defined set of size-and-needle combinations within each line. That keeps the SKU count manageable and lets buyers consolidate ordering with a wholesale distributor that carries both lines fully. If you're rebuilding the monofilament absorbable section of your formulary or sourcing a substitute for a back-ordered SKU, our team can confirm availability and pricing the same day.

How to Buy PDS II and Monocryl in Bulk

Both lines are supplied by the box and case in standardized packaging. Monocryl's higher turn rate makes case-quantity wholesale ordering practical for the most-used sizes (3-0 through 5-0 with reverse cutting and taper-point needle configurations). PDS II, with its specialty role, is often better managed in smaller box quantities for the heavier sizes used in lower volumes, with case quantities reserved for the references that move steadily - typically 0 and 1 in taper-point configurations for fascia.

Driven by an obsession with customer experience, MAP Medical works as a single-source wholesale partner for clinics, surgery centers, and multi-site networks across the U.S., supplying the full PDS II and Monocryl catalogs (including PDS Plus) across every size and needle type. When one of these references goes to backorder, the buyers we work with do not start a search from scratch - they already have a second source that knows their formulary and can confirm an acceptable alternate the same day.

What This Means for Procurement Teams

PDS II and Monocryl complement each other in a monofilament absorbable formulary: PDS II for extended strength retention on closures like fascia, Monocryl for low-drag skin closure and soft-tissue work. Size each line to the facility's real case mix, evaluate PDS Plus and Monocryl Plus deliberately at the formulary level, and order by the case from a single wholesale distributor that carries both lines fully. MAP Medical is a U.S. wholesale medical supply distributor built around three things facility buyers tell us they need most: fast responses, accurate delivery times, and single-source ordering across thousands of critical med-surg supplies. We carry the full PDS II and Monocryl lines above with wholesale pricing, single-source ordering, and a team that responds the same day when a buyer needs an answer. If you're rebuilding the monofilament absorbable section of your formulary or sourcing a substitute for a back-ordered SKU, our team can confirm availability and pricing the same day.

Our PDS II and Monocryl Catalog

The references below cover PDS II and Monocryl across the most-stocked sizes and needle types, prioritized by buyer demand. You can find the selected products in the table below.

Get wholesale pricing on PDS II and Monocryl sutures - with the service and speed your facility deserves. Contact MAP Medical to optimize your formulary today.