Which type of suture material is prone to reduced knot security?

• A. Monofilament
• B. Multifilament
• C. Absorbable
• D. Non-absorbable

Answer: (A)

Knot security is driven by how much friction and gripping the suture strands have when the knot is tied. A single smooth strand (monofilament) has less surface roughness and less friction between turns, so it can slip more easily under tension. In contrast, a braided or twisted (multifilament) suture creates more interlocking contact and higher friction, helping knots hold better. Absorbable vs non-absorbable describes how long the suture lasts in tissue, not how well a knot stays tied, so they don’t directly determine knot security. So, the smoother, single-strand material is the one prone to reduced knot security.