Nylon sutures are favored for continuous sutures because they are which?

• A. Color-coded and rigid
• B. Highly reactive and stiff
• C. Low reactivity and slippery
• D. Absorbable and fast-dissolving

Answer: (C)

For a running or continuous suture technique, you want a material that causes minimal tissue irritation and can glide smoothly through tissue. Nylon is relatively inert, so it produces low tissue reactivity, which helps reduce inflammation and scarring along the wound. Its surface is also very smooth and slippery, which minimizes friction as the suture is passed and as knots are tightened. That combination—low inflammatory potential and reduced tissue drag—makes it easier to advance the suture evenly along the wound and maintain consistent tension without tearing or snagging tissue. Nylon is nonabsorbable, so it retains its strength over time, which is another practical advantage for a continuous pattern in many clinical settings.