Panacryl Sutures

Panacryl sutures are a type of absorbable sutures, or stitches, that are commonly used to assist patient's wound healing after surgery. These type of sutures are intended to be absorbed by the body so there is no need for removal at a later time. Panacryl sutures unfortunately may have been the cause of more harm by not dissolving as intended.

Common Problems with Panacryl Sutures

The problems with Panacryl sutures usually arise after surgery with a variety of complications occurring. The most common problems experienced are:

A high rate of infection
Failure of the body to absorb the sutures
Suture Granulomas (a bump under the skin from scar tissue forming around the suture)
Spitting Sutures (the suture is pushed out to the skin surface by the body rejecting the suture)
Tunneling (miniature tunnels form around the incision area caused by the suture inhibiting healthy tissue growth)

Some History of Panacryl Sutures

The Panacryl suture was introduced in 1999. Panacryl sutures were marketed by the Johnson & Johnson division of Ethicon, Inc. as a unique product for the combination of absorbability and suture strength. It was also suggested that the Panacryl suture would be useful for extended wound support for up to six months. The Panacryl suture is made from a specific type of synthetic braided absorbable material and was used for orthopedic and general soft tissue surgery. These sutures were used in ligament and tendon repairs as well as for reattachment of ligaments and tendons to the bone.

The majority of Panacryl suture problems are related to their use in the soft tissue lower abdominal area. These problems often required additional surgery to remove the infected or problematic sutures. Patients who required these additional surgeries could have recovery times from as little as a few months to as long as a year. There are even cases where the Panacryl sutures remained unabsorbed in the patient for a year or more before infection, granulomas or other problems arose.

All Panacryl sutures were voluntarily recalled by Ethicon on March 28, 2006. The company's reason for the recall was that "The unique absorption profile of Panacryl in the suture could act as a foreign body so that surgeons should consider its use in specific situations." According to Ethicon, the recall includes 1,061,712 sutures which were distributed throughout the US and internationally.

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Panacryl Sutures Articles

Panacryl Sutures - One Woman's Death Sentence
"I work in the hospital where my mother-in-law had surgery so I know we used Panacryl sutures," says Stephanie Neiferd. "The surgeon couldn't believe how many sutures he pulled out of her, he was furious."

Panacryl Sutures: Still Suffering After Three Years
After shoulder surgery, Timothy Gamble spent three years in constant pain, from a wound that wouldn't heal. Imagine his surprise when a second surgery revealed that Panacryl sutures--supposedly absorbable--were still in his body, and the cause of a nasty infection.

Pain of Ethicon's Vicryl Stitches
Ethicon's Panacryl and Vicryl "Absorbable" Sutures: Abnormal
Panacryl Suture: Inside an 'Adverse Incident' Report
Panacryl Sutures like a Horror Movie, for Some
Johnson & Johnson Litigation Stories: Panacryl Sutures and the Duragesic Patch - Part II
Johnson & Johnson Litigation Stories: Panacryl Sutures and the Duragesic Patch - Part I
Panacryl Sutures: Another suture experiment brought to you by Ethicon
"A Walking Time Bomb": One Victim's Story
Panacryl Sutures: My Worst Nightmare
Pushing Panacryl and Vicryl Sutures: Is Fluffy next?
Panacryl Sutures Causing Patients Pain
Ethicon's Sutures: Post-Operative Nightmare
Ethicon's Absorbable Sutures are Non-absorbable
Panacryl Absorbable Sutures: A Year After the Recall
Panacryl Sutures Used In Gynecologic Surgeries
Panacryl Suture Ruined Sex Life
Panacryl Sutures: One Account of Pain and Suffering
Panacryl Sutures Lawsuit: File Now
Patients require further surgery because of Panacryl Sutures
Class action suit filed against Johnson & Johnson's Panacryl Sutures
Patients require further surgery because of Panacryl Sutures
Panacryl Sutures: Another headache for Ethicon
Ethicon's Panacryl Lawsuits
Panacryl Sutures Cause Additional Surgeries
Panacryl Sutures: Recent lawsuits just Tip of the Iceberg

Panacryl Sutures Legal Help

If you or a loved one has suffered infection or required additional surgery as a result of the use of Panacryl Sutures, please click the link below to submit your complaint to a lawyer for a free evaluation.

Please click here for a free evaluation of your Panacryl Sutures Infection claim

Last updated on Nov-18-21

PANACRYL SUTURES INFECTION LEGAL ARTICLES AND INTERVIEWS

Panacryl Endosurgical Sutures Defective, But Clock Ran Out for Plaintiff

October 19, 2010

In spite of the fact that a woman's infection following a cesarean section was believed to have been caused by Panacryl endosurgical sutures, two courts ruled for summary judgment in favor of defendant Johnson & Johnson Health Care Systems Inc. (J&J) and Ethicon Inc. because the plaintiff waited too long to launch her legal challenge against the allegedly faulty product. READ MORE

Panacryl Sutures—One Woman's Death Sentence

August 16, 2007

"I work in the hospital where my mother-in-law had surgery so I know we used Panacryl sutures," says Stephanie Neiferd. "The surgeon couldn't believe how many sutures he pulled out of her—he was furious." READ MORE

Panacryl Sutures: Still Suffering After Three Years

August 13, 2007

After shoulder surgery, Timothy Gamble spent three years in constant pain, from a wound that wouldn't heal. Imagine his surprise when a second surgery revealed that Panacryl sutures--supposedly absorbable--were still in his body, and the cause of a nasty infection. READ MORE

MORE PANACRYL SUTURES INFECTION LEGAL NEWS

READER COMMENTS

Posted by
Angela Jones
on September 21, 2018

I had a breast reduction surgery July 27, 2018. Discovered I had a bad infection about a week and a half later and was put on ten days of antibiotics and gobbs of paint killers. It is now Sept.21st, my right breast has become super sore and I have weeping/bloody holes where the “dissolvable” sutures are/where and I’ve had to pull some out with tweezers. I took pictures and video. What is happening? I was told these sutures would dissolve.

Posted by
Katherine Dunn
on March 13, 2018

I have had the same issues except my doctor had used Maxon sutures. I was opened up on 08/09/17. I had a colostomy reversal that ended with an ileostomy. I am post op now for 7 months of him cutting me where the stiches are,and I'm still getting infections and packing wounds that have burst open with infection due to these stiches not dissolving. My surgeon stated that if these stiches do not desolve or come out on their own in two months,he's cutting me open to get them out! Had anyone had issues with the Maxon brand of sutures?

Posted by
Amber Jacques
on January 11, 2016

My 11yo son had Pectus Excavadum surgery on 11/25. On 11/25 he had massive internal bleeding from several areas from the 1st surgery. They went back in as an emergency surgery that night and he has had nothing but problems since. I am now seeking an attorney as I have his medical reports and see that they have used the Vicryl sutures. He had a blood transfusion due to the second surgery blood loss. Since discharge he continues to get a fever and is thrown on more than adult dose antibiotics. The fever goes away and then come back when the antibiotics are gone. He has been on two rounds, which he finished last week...the fever is back again. His incisions looked bad suddenly 5 weeks post op. The surgeons said his body was reacting negatively to the stitches. For the past week and a half, both incisions that were once closed and healing nicely, are open with tissue coming through them. They are draining a TON. He is using RX steroid cream per the surgeon. At this point I think there is a huge issue and am very frustrated. Id like to pursue legal action.

Posted by
Royce Williams
on November 18, 2015

I have infected sutures. And I have had several surgeries since then. I am seeking a attorney to represent me.

Posted by
Anonymous
on December 28, 2014

Nov 6,2014 I had surgery on my feet to repair Hammer toes. My feet were getting worse even 4/weeks after surgery. I went back a few times for the doctor to look at how bad they were, very swollen, white/yellow pus running out of the tops of my toes where all the stitches were at. He tells me its a fungus at 1st visit, then on 2nd trip back to doctor he told me I as having a reaction to vicryl stitches that were used. I had to go back to hospital 2/weeks ago to have the stitches removed, had to be put to sleep again and go through another complete surgery. My feet are looking better after 2nd surgery, still don't have theses stitches out yet, but I'm hoping it all will be ok now.

Posted by
Colorado
on February 6, 2012

I just learned that I have sutures inside me that did not absorb. I have been in constant pain for almost 3 years. I was unable to walk upright for months. I am still not stable and suffering.

Posted by
Texas
on March 11, 2011

Due to AVN in both my hips I had replacements done in April and Oct of 2000. I have yet to recover and had to give up working and go on disability. I'm in pain every day, 24/7, which can go from a pain level of 3 or 4 to a 10 to 12 without any warning. I'm unable to sit, walk, or stand for any long length of time. I use a cane or walker as needed. Just last week my legs went out on me (meaning severe pain) and I fell flat on my back and now not only my hips but my butt bone are bruised and sore and very painful. Now it hurts to do anything at all. I did not get x-rayed but am considering it.

Posted by
Illinois
on March 2, 2009

Severe abdominal pain and scar is spitting sutures. Doctors are doing all sorts of tests and have no logical answers. The doctors seem to have no knowledge of or are ignorant to any recalls or problems associated with sutures. They have ruled out every other possible medical problem but have made another appt. to be seen by a gynecoligist next week.

Posted by
Michigan
on July 24, 2008

I received the surgery April 30/08 as of July 24/08, my wound has still not healed. The surgical wound dehisced one month later well after it should have been healed.. The 4 inside and 4 outside sutures never dissolved. I went back to the surgeon where she dug into the wound and removed five sutures and sent me home with cream to fill up the void twice a day. My husband removed 2 sutures and the one still remains causing pain, irritation and tunneling. If and when the wound heals I will have to pay a plastic surgeon to fix the exaggerated scar.

Show 4 More Comments

Posted by
Texas
on March 20, 2008

I am currently 9 weeks post surgery with gaping holes in my abdominal area (new ones opening every day) because the stitches have not been absorbed. I have no quality of life and the pain and discomfort affect the healing process of the original reason for my surgery. My doctor has used both names (vicryl and panacryl) to tell me what stitches were used. I am not sure which. This is ongoing and I dont know when or if I will heal - I will have scarring.

Posted by
New York
on February 19, 2008

I just came across this site and I am going in for surgery in a week. I had a c-section 4 1/2 years ago and have had pain in the left side of my abdomen for about 2 years and now it's pretty severe. After a number of tests, I am having it surgically removed on 2/26/08. The surgeon described to me what happened, that a suture didn't dissolve and became infected and developed scar tissue around it and grew. From the outside, it feels about the size of an orange. I had no idea about these sutures being recalled and now I believe that this may be my problem. How can I find out what sutures were used in my surgery without sending up any red flags at my doctor's office? HELP!!!!!
Thank you!!!

Posted by
Ohio
on January 7, 2008

I had a cyst removed from my scalp, sutures coming through my scalp caused an infection necessitating a second surgery.

I had a squamis cell cancer removed from my face and the sutures came through the skin causing a staph infection and then an abscess that required an ER visit. They cut into my face again and I had a gauze pad inserted with a string hanging out of my face for a week. The scar from this is much more noticeable than that of the original surgery.

Posted by
Texas
on September 18, 2007

2-1 Vicryl sutures were used to close incisions after gall bladder removal. As soon as I woke from surgery I was is horrible pain under my skin and I knew something was wrong. This pain lasted for almost 3 weeks after the surgery. Approximately 3 weeks after surgery I had a large boil appear at the bottom of one of my incisions. I went to the doctor where he had to cut the boil off and clean a hole at least 4" deep that was full of infection. The doctor stated my body was having a negative reaction to the sutures. Less than a week later another incision became infected. I went to the doctor and he cut a suture that had not dissolved out and cleaned a hole full of infection about 1" deep. My doctor again stated my body was having a reaction to the sutures. A week later I noticed a piece of suture protruding out of the first wound. I toughed on it and pulled a 3" piece of undissolved suture out of the wound. A few days later I pulled another piece of undissolved suture out of a different spot. To this day I still have pain in my incisions. I can still feel sutures under my skin. My incisions are irritated and swollen ant times they become hard. I have had many surgeries, but have never had this happen. Because of these sutures a recovery that should have taken 2 weeks has now taken 6 weeks.

Posted by
Georgia
on June 19, 2007

I broke my right leg fibula ,tibia and talus bones and had 9 stainless screws and a plate installed into my lower right leg and was in the hospital for 6 days. I swelled up by 35 lbs and never recovered and for the next 5 years suffered horribly. I just got the metal taken out and started to feel better immediately. Are there any actions against the makers of surgical stainless steel? It turns out that the metal is made up of a dozen or so ingredients such as nickle ( 12 to 15 % ) silicon .75% and several other including iron 50+%. The research I have done online shows that stainless steel starts to disintegrate in the body over time.