Sterilization of sutures by low temperature argon plasma

Nondegradable and biodegradable, mono-and multifilament, natural and synthetic sutures were sterilized by treating in an argon gas plasma glow-discharge system at different glow-discharge powers (10, 20 and 40 watt) and exposure times (5, 15 and 30 min). All of the sutures (except plain and chromic catguts) were successfully sterilized. Plain and chromic catgut could not be sterilized even at very high discharge power and exposure time. A five watt discharge and 5 min of exposure time were considered optimal conditions for argon plasma sterilization without changing the desired suture mechanical properties (extensibility, knot-pull breaking and tensile strengths).