Catgut is best used for wounds in areas where the tissue regenerates rapidly. A disadvantage to using this suture material is that a higher level of tissue reaction is incited in the surrounding tissue due to the foreign protein nature of the catgut suture.

When do you use catgut suture?

The main indications for use of catgut suture include ligation of superficial vessels and closure of tissues that heal rapidly, such as oral mucosa. Catgut sutures also can be used in situations where one wishes to avoid suture removal, as in small children.

What do you use catgut for?

Catgut, tough cord made from the intestines of certain animals, particularly sheep, and used for surgical ligatures and sutures, for the strings of violins and related instruments, and for the strings of tennis rackets and archery bows.