If you've reordered Ethicon sutures from Surgo recently, you may have noticed some new product codes. Several standard COATED VICRYL®, MONOCRYL® and PDS® sutures in our catalogue have been replaced by their Plus Antibacterial equivalents, which carry new codes beginning with VCP, MCP and PDP. This guide explains what the Plus sutures are, what has changed, what has stayed the same, and how to find the replacement for a code you've ordered before.
Quick Summary
- Plus sutures add a triclosan antibacterial coating to familiar VICRYL, MONOCRYL and PDS sutures
- Former J, Y and Z codes are replaced by VCP, MCP and PDP codes
- Sizes, lengths and needles are matched to the codes they replace
- Use the cross-reference tables below to find your new code
What Are Ethicon Plus Antibacterial Sutures?
Ethicon Plus Antibacterial Sutures are synthetic absorbable sutures coated with triclosan, a broad-spectrum antibacterial agent. Ethicon uses a medical-grade form of triclosan called IRGACARE® MP. The coating is designed to inhibit bacterial colonization on the suture itself, and Ethicon states that this effect lasts for 7 days or more.
The Plus range covers three of Ethicon's most widely used absorbable suture lines:
- COATED VICRYL® Plus Antibacterial (polyglactin 910): a braided multifilament suture
- MONOCRYL® Plus Antibacterial (poliglecaprone 25): a monofilament suture
- PDS® Plus Antibacterial (polydioxanone): a monofilament suture
Plus Antibacterial Sutures at a Glance
| Product Line | Material | Construction | Absorption | New Code Prefix |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| COATED VICRYL® Plus | Polyglactin 910 with triclosan | Braided multifilament | 56 to 70 days | VCP |
| MONOCRYL® Plus | Poliglecaprone 25 with triclosan | Monofilament | 90 to 120 days | MCP |
| PDS® Plus | Polydioxanone with triclosan | Monofilament | 182 to 238 days | PDP |
What the Research Says
Surgical site infections (SSIs) remain a significant concern in surgical care, and the suture itself is one of the surfaces where bacteria can colonize. Triclosan-coated sutures were developed to address this risk factor, and they have been studied extensively.
28%
Reduction in surgical site infection risk
A 2017 meta-analysis by de Jonge and colleagues, covering 21 randomized controlled trials and 6,462 patients, found a 28% reduction in surgical site infection risk with triclosan-coated sutures. All of the triclosan-coated sutures in these trials were Ethicon Plus Antibacterial Sutures.
A more recent systematic review published in BMC Surgery in 2023 reached a similar conclusion, estimating a 29% reduction in SSI risk for patients in the Plus Sutures group compared with standard sutures. Triclosan-coated sutures are also referenced in SSI prevention guidelines from organizations including the CDC, WHO, the American College of Surgeons and Surgical Infection Society, and NICE. These guidelines apply to triclosan-coated sutures in general rather than to any one brand.
What Stayed the Same
For most clinicians, switching to a Plus suture should feel familiar. The replacement codes are matched to the sutures they replace by suture size, strand length, needle type and needle size, so you can continue using the same configuration you're used to. The base materials are also unchanged: polyglactin 910, poliglecaprone 25 and polydioxanone. For COATED VICRYL®, the absorption profile listed on the spec sheets is the same for both versions, at 56 to 70 days.
What Changed: The New Product Codes
The most visible change is the product code. The former codes for standard COATED VICRYL®, MONOCRYL® and PDS® sutures began with J, Y and Z. The Plus Antibacterial replacements use new prefixes, and in most cases the number that follows stays the same.
| Former Prefix | New Prefix | Product Line | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| J | VCP | COATED VICRYL® Plus | J333H → VCP333H |
| Y | MCP | MONOCRYL® Plus | Y426H → MCP426H |
| Z | PDP | PDS® Plus | Z341H → PDP341H |
Watch for These Exceptions
In a few cases, the number changes along with the prefix. Y441H is now MCP935H, Y442H is now MCP936H, and both Y464G and Y494G have been consolidated into a single code, MCP494G.
Full Code Cross-Reference
COATED VICRYL® Plus Antibacterial
| Former Code | New Code | Size | Length | Needle | Box Qty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| J333H | VCP333H | 2-0 | 27" | CT-2 | 36 |
| J493G | VCP493G | 5-0 | 18" | P-3 | 12 |
| J494G | VCP494G | 4-0 | 18" | P-3 | 12 |
| J495G | VCP495G | 5-0 | 18" | PS-2 | 12 |
| J497G | VCP497G | 3-0 | 18" | PS-2 | 12 |
| J504G | VCP504G | 4-0 | 18" | P-2 | 12 |
| J683H | VCP683H | 3-0 | 18" | PS-1 | 36 |
MONOCRYL® Plus Antibacterial
| Former Code | New Code | Size | Length | Needle | Box Qty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Y426H | MCP426H | 4-0 | 27" | PS-2 | 36 |
| Y441H | MCP935H | 4-0 | 27" | PS-1 | 36 |
| Y442H | MCP936H | 3-0 | 27" | PS-1 | 36 |
| Y464G / Y494G | MCP494G | 4-0 | 18" | P-3 | 12 |
| Y489G | MCP489G | 6-0 | 18" | P-1 | 12 |
| Y493G | MCP493G | 5-0 | 18" | P-3 | 12 |
| Y495G | MCP495G | 5-0 | 18" | PS-2 | 12 |
| Y497G | MCP497G | 3-0 | 18" | PS-2 | 12 |
| Y682H | MCP682H | 4-0 | 18" | PS-1 | 36 |
| Y823G | MCP823G | 4-0 | 18" | PC-5 | 12 |
| Y834G | MCP834G | 5-0 | 18" | PC-1 | 12 |
PDS® Plus Antibacterial
| Former Code | New Code | Size | Length | Needle | Box Qty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Z341H | PDP341H | 1 | 27" | CT-1 | 36 |
| Z442H | PDP442H | 3-0 | 27" | FS-1 | 36 |
| Z443H | PDP443H | 2-0 | 27" | FS-1 | 36 |
| Z463G | PDP463G | 5-0 | 18" | P-3 | 12 |
Tips for Reordering
- Search by your old code. Each Plus product page on surgo.com lists the code it replaces, so searching your former code will bring up the new product.
- Double-check the details. Confirm the size, needle, length, colour and box quantity on the product page before ordering, especially if you're updating a standing order or preference card.
- Update your internal records. If your facility uses requisition lists, preference cards or inventory systems, update them with the new codes to avoid ordering delays.
- Limited stock of some former codes. We still have limited stock of some former codes, such as J504G, which remain available while supplies last.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Plus sutures the same as standard Ethicon sutures?
Plus sutures use the same base materials as their standard counterparts (polyglactin 910, poliglecaprone 25 or polydioxanone), with the addition of a triclosan coating that inhibits bacterial colonization on the suture.
Why did my product code change?
The Plus Antibacterial versions carry their own product codes. VICRYL Plus codes begin with VCP, MONOCRYL Plus codes begin with MCP, and PDS Plus codes begin with PDP. Use the cross-reference tables above to find your replacement.
How long does the antibacterial effect last?
According to Ethicon, Plus sutures inhibit bacterial colonization on the suture for 7 days or more.
Is there evidence that Plus sutures reduce infection risk?
Yes. A 2017 meta-analysis of 21 randomized controlled trials found a 28% reduction in surgical site infection risk with triclosan-coated sutures, all of which were Ethicon Plus Antibacterial Sutures. A 2023 systematic review in BMC Surgery estimated a 29% reduction.
Can I still order my old code?
Some former codes are still available in limited quantities while stock lasts. Once they sell out, the Plus Antibacterial replacement is the code to order.
Shop Ethicon Plus Antibacterial Sutures
Browse the full range of COATED VICRYL® Plus, MONOCRYL® Plus and PDS® Plus Antibacterial sutures at Surgo. If you have questions about a replacement code or need help updating your orders, our customer service team is happy to help.
Shop SuturesReferences
- de Jonge SW, et al. Meta-analysis and trial sequential analysis of triclosan-coated sutures for the prevention of surgical-site infection. British Journal of Surgery. 2017.
- Edwards M, et al. Plus Sutures for preventing surgical site infection: a systematic review of clinical outcomes with economic and environmental models. BMC Surgery. 2023. Read the study
- Ethicon. Plus Antibacterial Sutures product resources. jnjmedtech.com
