Dissolvable sutures – an alternative to traditional surgical sutures

Removal of surgical sutures, although painless, is not a pleasant procedure. This is why surgeons are increasingly opting for the use of absorbable sutures, which are biodegradable once the wound has healed. Innovative materials are extremely durable and resistant to aggressive body fluids. After the period of required tissue support, the sutures spontaneously dissolve, avoiding suture removal. However, can absorbable materials be used in all surgical procedures?

The use of absorbable threads

Some re absorbable sutures are characterized by low initial strength and fast absorption time (from 40 to 90 days). The speed of their decomposition is determined by the material of manufacture, location in the body, as well as the patient’s health status. Biodegradable sutures work well especially in procedures where the required period of wound support is relatively kr tki. Surgeons reach for innovative sutures during surgery In urology, gynecology or dentistry.

With proper suturing technique, absorbable surgical sutures do not leave behind unsightly scars. As a result, they are also used in plastic surgery procedures. As is well known, the removal of sutures is particularly lnie troublesome in the case of children, which re usually not fond of hospital visits. Therefore, dissolvable surgical sutures are used to close wounds sk ry in pediatric surgery.

Are dissolvable sutures suitable for any type of procedure?

When the first biodegradable materials were developed, specialists began to wonder whether these could replace traditional surgical sutures entirely. Unfortunately, although the placement of sutures of absorbable materials is very convenient, surgeons may not always choose to use them.

Some re procedures require a strong yet permanent connection of tissues. Most dissolvable surgical threads are characterized by kr ith a low maintenance period. For this reason, innovative materials are not used in particular liability in the case of surgery in the field of cardiovascular surgery.

Types of absorbable surgical sutures

Nowadays, the most popular surgical sutures are made of material In synthetic (e.g. of polyglycolic acid or polydioxanone). Head nie due to their high biocompatibility, kt ra provides very good wound healing results. Besides, synthetic dissolvable sutures cause minimal inflammatory response in the tissue, which translates into a reduced risk of postoperative complications. Still, some ers choose to supply wounds with natural threads (produced from collagen). It is worth noting at this cite the fact that non-synthetic sutures can cause a perpetuating effect on infection in the wound.

Importantly, dissolvable sutures are divided into those o kr tkim, medium and long term tissue support. The former are recommended for wound closure in dentistry and obstetrics. While the latter can be used in some rych orthopedic procedures, as well as in abdominal skin closure.

The article was written in collaboration he company Madens, who The company distributes surgical sutures and other articles for the short, medium and long term In medical.

Source dles: Basic course in sk surgery ry, spend. II, A. Bieniek, W. Edra Urban Baran & Partner Publishing, Wroclaw 2015