ABSORBABLE SURGICAL SUTURES

Abstract Sutures are sterile’ filaments used to close wounds and are made of either absorbable or nonabsorbable materials. The choice of suture materials for surgery is made mainly on the basis of biocompatibility and mechanical properties. The biological interaction with the tissues is considered from the point of view of the inflammatory reaction caused. An ideal suture is one that does not merely avoid negative reactions but also keeps a sterile environment and stimulates the process of healing. An absorbable suture is one which is degraded in body tissues to soluble products and disappears from the implant site, usually within 2 to 6 months. A nonabsorbable suture is resistant to biodegradation, becomes encapsulated in a fibrous sheath, and remains in the tissue as a foreign body unless it is surgically removed (e.g., skin sutures) or extruded. Sutures may be fabricated as monofilaments or multifilaments. The latter are generally braided but sometimes twisted or spun and may be coated with wax, silico...