EFHSS Questions and Answers - Question Q00457

Following the EFHSS Questions & Answers Q00455 answered by Paul J. Sordellini, it mean that we can sterilize all types of surgical sutures by an EtO method.

This is what Ethicon Europe says:
"Q00455 and Q00457. The answers presently there are factually incorrect.
It is up to individual manufacturers to determine the best method of sterilization for their range of suture products. The preferred method, because it is less expensive and technologically easier, is gamma irradiation and is the method used to sterilise products like nylon, polyester, stainless steel, silk and catgut sutures. However a number of products are detrimentally affected through degradation by irradiation and then ethylene oxide becomes the preferred option. Typically degradation occurs with most of the synthetic absorbable sutures. When using ethylene oxide as a sterilization method precautions have to be taken to assure acceptable ethylene sterilisation residues are obtained.
The type of packaging material employed as the sterile barrier can also influence the choice of sterilization method.
Sutures are single use devices and should never be resterilised once the packaging has been breached"