A sterile synthetic absorbable monofilament for knotless wound closure. Surface barbs distribute tension along the strand and support continuous tissue approximation without tied knots.
Wound closure
Barbed sutures
Barbed sutures have tiny barbs cut along a monofilament, letting the strand anchor in tissue without surgical knots. Tension is distributed along the whole line of closure rather than concentrated at a knot.
The background
How a barbed suture holds without a knot
Barbs are cut into the surface of a monofilament so that the strand passes forward through tissue easily but resists being pulled back.
That one-way grip is what removes the knot. Each barb takes a share of the load, so tension is spread along the closure instead of being carried by a knot at either end — and the surgeon is not stopping to tie.
We offer barbed sutures on an absorbable polydioxanone base and on non-absorbable polypropylene, including a device that also carries a triclosan antibacterial coating.
What the design changes
- No surgical knots to tie, and none to slip or bulk under the skin
- Tension distributed evenly along the line of closure
- Continuous approximation, useful in layered and endoscopic work
- Absorbable and non-absorbable base polymers to suit the repair
- Unidirectional loop with a swaged needle available on the polypropylene device
Range and sizes
Available in U.S.P. sizes and lengths for the procedures barbed closure is used in, with a choice of needle configurations. Selection rests with the operating surgeon.
The range
The barbed suture range
Self-anchoring monofilaments for knotless, continuous wound closure.
A monofilament polydioxanone barbed suture that also carries a triclosan coating — knotless continuous closure with an antibacterial-coated strand.
A non-absorbable polypropylene barbed suture whose barbs spiral along the whole strand, supplied as a unidirectional loop with one swaged needle.
Compare
The barbed range at a glance
Refer to each product for U.S.P. sizes, strand lengths, needle options and reference codes.
| Suture | Base material | Absorption | Feature | Structure |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SRB Barbex | Polydioxanone | Absorbable | Knotless barbed | Monofilament |
| SRB Barbex AB | Polydioxanone | Absorbable | Knotless barbed + triclosan | Monofilament |
| SRB Barbex PP | Polypropylene | Non-absorbable | Knotless barbed, unidirectional loop | Monofilament |
Applications
Where barbed sutures are used
Closures where knot-tying is the slow part — long runs, deep layers, and work through a port where a knot is awkward to throw.
- Knotless, tension-distributed wound closure
- Continuous soft-tissue and layered closure
- General surgical closure where a knotless device is preferred
- Procedures where an antibacterial-coated barbed strand is wanted
Questions
Frequently asked
What is a barbed suture?
A monofilament with tiny barbs cut along its surface. The barbs anchor in tissue, so the closure holds without tied knots.
Are barbed sutures absorbable?
Both. Our polydioxanone devices are absorbable; the polypropylene device is non-absorbable.
Why close without knots?
Knots take time, add bulk, and concentrate tension at two points. A barbed strand spreads the load along the whole closure and removes the tying step.
Is an antibacterial barbed suture available?
Yes — SRB Barbex AB is a polydioxanone barbed suture with a triclosan coating.
For healthcare professionals. Barbed sutures are placed with a different technique from
conventional strands. Selection of device, size and technique rests with the operating surgeon; refer to the
instructions for use supplied with each product.
Get in touch
Quote my barbed range
Tell us the base material, sizes and lengths you need and we will come back with a full quotation.