Learning Objective

• Boilable and nonboilable catgut

Boilable surgical catgut is packed in glass tubes with the strands immersed in a water-free high boiling tubing fluid, usually xylene. The exterior of the tubes can be sterilized at the hospital by autoclaving. The disadvantage of the boilable variety is that the absence of moisture inside the tubes makes the strands very stiff. They have to be soaked for several minutes in sterile water before they become pliable for use.

The catgut labeled as nonboilable is contained in either a foil or plastic packet, immersed in a pliabilizing fluid, which generally consists of an alcohol or a mixture of an alcohol with a small percentage of water. The water in the tube keeps it pliable and ready for use. The outsides can be sterilized by washing in soapy water and steeping in a germicidal solution before opening the packet.