Written and maintained by CASRAI Editorial Board
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This page describes products and general use; it is not medical advice.
Nurolon is Ethicon’s braided, nonabsorbable nylon suture. Its closest sibling, Ethilon, is also nylon but is a monofilament, so the two behave as different constructions of one polymer family. This guide explains what each is, how they differ, how to read a nylon suture catalog line, and what the US regulation says about the category. It is written for clinic staff, buyers and students who handle or specify sutures.
What is Nurolon suture?
Nurolon is a nonabsorbable, sterile, braided surgical suture made from the long-chain aliphatic polymer Nylon 6,6, according to the manufacturer’s product page (Johnson & Johnson MedTech, checked 2026-10-30). It is dyed black to improve visibility in tissue and is also offered undyed. Ethicon’s product record for one Nurolon item lists the material as polyamide 6,6 and the type as non-absorbable with a taper-point needle.
Which suture suits a given patient and site is a decision for the treating clinician; this guide covers the product and how it is described.
What is nylon suture, and how is it built?
Under 21 CFR 878.5020, a nonabsorbable polyamide surgical suture is a nonabsorbable, sterile, flexible thread prepared from the long-chain aliphatic polymers Nylon 6 and Nylon 6,6, indicated for use in soft tissue approximation. The regulation says it may be monofilament or multifilament, uncoated or coated, undyed or dyed with an FDA-listed color additive, and supplied with or without a needle. It must meet the United States Pharmacopeia requirements for nonabsorbable surgical sutures (text via Cornell LII, checked 2026-10-30).
That one definition covers both products below. “Nylon suture” is the category; Nurolon and Ethilon are two brand-level constructions inside it.
Nurolon vs Ethilon: braided vs monofilament nylon
What is Ethilon suture? Per the manufacturer’s product page, Ethilon is a nonabsorbable, sterile surgical monofilament suture composed of Nylon 6 and Nylon 6,6, dyed black or green, or undyed. Nurolon is the braided counterpart.
| Feature | Nurolon | Ethilon |
|---|---|---|
| Construction | Braided | Monofilament |
| Polymer | Nylon 6,6 | Nylon 6 and Nylon 6,6 |
| Absorbability | Nonabsorbable | Nonabsorbable |
| Colors listed | Black, or undyed | Black or green, or undyed |
Source: Johnson & Johnson MedTech product pages for Nurolon and Ethilon, checked 2026-10-30. The pages point to the package insert for indications and sizes, so this table does not list them.
How to read a nylon suture catalog entry
Catalog lines pack the material, size, length and needle into a few codes. Ethicon’s product record for one Nurolon item shows the pattern: 3-0, black, 30 in, with a 26 mm SH taper-point needle, in polyamide 6,6, non-absorbable. Reading it left to right:
- Size (3-0): the thread gauge. The manufacturer’s instructions for use and device specifications give the full size range for each product.
- Color (black): the dye that helps the thread show against tissue.
- Length (30 in): length of the strand.
- Needle (26 mm, SH, taper point): needle length and style; a taper-point needle is the type listed on that record.
The US National Library of Medicine’s AccessGUDID record for a Nurolon item (black braided nylon, nonabsorbable) shows product code GAR, “suture, nonabsorbable, synthetic, polyamide”, sterile packaging and an MR Safe label for that listing (checked 2026-10-30).
Regulatory class
FDA classifies nonabsorbable polyamide surgical suture as Class II (special controls) under 21 CFR 878.5020(b). The special control named there is FDA’s guidance document on surgical sutures.
Safe handling basics
These points come from the warnings on Ethicon’s product record for the Nurolon item above:
- Users should be familiar with surgical procedures and techniques involving nonabsorbable sutures.
- The risk of wound dehiscence may vary with the site of application and the suture material used.
- Prolonged contact with salt solutions may result in calculus formation.
- Do not resterilize. Discard opened packages and unused sutures.
Always follow the instructions for use packaged with the product. For background on suture types, see what a suture is, absorbable vs non-absorbable sutures and the polyester example Ethibond. Related kit contents are in the wound closure kit guide. Facilities that source braided products can browse braided sutures.
Common mistakes
- Treating Nurolon and Ethilon as the same product. One is braided Nylon 6,6; the other is monofilament Nylon 6 and 6,6.
- Assuming “nylon” means monofilament. The regulation covers monofilament and multifilament forms.
- Reading a size, length or needle code from one brand as if it applied to another. Check each product’s own instructions for use.
- Resterilizing or keeping opened suture packages, which the manufacturer warns against.
FAQ
What is nylon suture?
A nonabsorbable, sterile, flexible thread made from Nylon 6 and/or Nylon 6,6, defined in 21 CFR 878.5020 and regulated as Class II.
What are nylon sutures used for?
The FDA definition says polyamide surgical suture is indicated for soft tissue approximation. Specific indications for a product are in its package insert.
What is Ethilon suture?
Ethicon’s nonabsorbable monofilament nylon suture, made of Nylon 6 and Nylon 6,6 and available dyed black or green or undyed.
Where is the Ethilon suture size chart?
Sizes are set out per product in the manufacturer’s instructions for use and device specifications, not in a generic chart.
Is Nurolon braided or monofilament?
Braided, and made of Nylon 6,6.
Sources
- Johnson & Johnson MedTech, NUROLON nylon suture product page: https://www.jnjmedtech.com/en-US/product/nurolon-nylon-suture (checked 2026-10-30).
- Johnson & Johnson MedTech, ETHILON nylon suture product page: https://www.jnjmedtech.com/en-US/product/ethilon-nylon-suture (checked 2026-10-30).
- Ethicon product center record, 3-0 Nurolon: https://www.ethicon.com/na/node/32891 (checked 2026-10-30).
- FDA, 21 CFR 878.5020 Nonabsorbable polyamide surgical suture: https://www.law.cornell.edu/cfr/text/21/878.5020 (checked 2026-10-30).
- NLM AccessGUDID, NUROLON record: https://accessgudid.nlm.nih.gov/devices/10705031023888 (checked 2026-10-30).
