Absorbable sutures are included in the group of surgical sutures that deteriorate over time and lose their tensile strength. Also, absorbable sutures are used in tissue approximations that are frequently used in internal tissues and during the healing process. It can be evaluated by its sensitivity to moisture and strong strength. There are two characteristics that determine the behavior of absorbable sutures in living tissue, namely the melting rate, loss of mass, and protection of tensile strength. After absorption due to the loss of tensile strength of absorbable sutures, the sutures remain in the tissue for a while and do not disappear completely. This absorption time varies according to the suture quality and structure.
Intercalarily, there are suture structures that cause differences for some features, such as monofilament and multifilament. Monofilament sutures create minimal tissue trauma during tissue passage / penetration. At the same time, due to its monofilament structure, it minimizes the formation of infection in the body. In addition, knitting structure of multifilament sutures with high knot security increases the strength.
Synthetic absorbable sutures are hydrolyzed by tissue fluids secreted from the lungs or kidneys. In addition, hydrolysis process is an organic chemical reaction in which water is used to break some of the molecules. It also causes less tissue reaction than enzymatic effect.
Synthetic absorbable surgical sutures are available in different types according to the materials they contain:
PGA (Polyglycolic Acid)
PGA structured suture is the first valid synthetic absorbable surgical suture. Also, it is a homo-polymer of glycolic acid (hydroxy acetic acid), introduced in 1970. PGA synthetic sutures, which are absorbable and multifilament, have a knitted structure. A mixture of Calcium Stearate and Polycaprolactone is used as a coating for the knitted structure.
PGAR (Polyglycolic Acid Rapid) – Degraded PGA
A mixture of Calcium Stearate and Polycaprolactone is the coating material of PGAR absorbable sutures, which have a coating suture structure. PGAR synthetic suture has a structure that does not cause excessive tissue irritation. Thus, it provides a safe use.
PGLA (Poly (glycolid acid (90%) – co – lactic acid (10%)))
Surgical sutures in this structure consist of a copolymer synthesized from 90% Polyglycolic Acid and 10% L-Lactic Acid. PGLA absorbable sutures do not cause tissue irritation by providing the necessary tensile strength during wound healing. The coating material of these non-antigen and non-pyrogen absorbable sutures is a mixture of Calcium Stearate, Polyglycolic Acid (30%) -L-Lactic Acid (70%).
PGLAR (Poly (glycolid acid (90%) – co – lactic acid (10%))) Rapid – Degraded PGLA
Only mild tissue reaction occurs during the absorption of sterile absorbable suture with synthetic structure. The braid structure of the suture is coated. Also, the coating material of this suture is a mixture of Calcium Stearate, Polyglycolic Acid (30%) -L-Lactic Acid (70%). Structure of PGLAR Rapid suture does not cause excessive tissue irritation and it is not antigen and pyrogen.
PGCL (Poly (glycolic acid (75%)-co-caprolactone (25%)))
Surgical sutures with synthetic structure PGCL give minimal tissue reaction during absorption without causing tissue irritation. Sutures with absorbable PGCL structure consist of a copolymer synthesized from 75% Polyglycolic Acid and 25% Caprolactone.
PDO (Polydioxanone)
Absorbable sutures with PDO structure are sterile surgical sutures for longer wound closure than other absorbable sutures. PDO structured absorbable suture has increased tensile strength in a biological environment. Due to its smooth structure, it facilitates the sewing, reduces the possibility of tissue damage and gives little reaction.
