As a type of biomaterial device, the primary function of sutures is to connect and secure tissues after surgery or wound. This function means high requirements needed for the mechanical properties and biocompatibility of the materials. Currently, commonly used sutures can be divided into two categories: degradable and non-degradable. Due to their excellent degradation capabilities, degradable sutures can be absorbed by the human body after being implanted in tissue during surgical suturing, thus eliminating the need for suture removal.
Based on the source of the raw materials, absorbable sutures are divided into two main types: those made from natural materials and those made from synthetic materials. Natural materials primarily refer to animal tissue materials. The most primitive absorbable sutures are made from the intestinal mucosa of sheep, hence they are also called "catgut." Additionally, natural materials such as animal collagen, animal tendon tissue, and chitosan are included. Synthetic absorbable sutures are made from various non-animal monomer materials that are polymerized or copolymerized, such as polylactic acid (PLA), polyglycolic acid (PGA), and magnesium alloys.
PGA surgical sutures
Due to the excellent biocompatibility and biodegradability of PGA materials, sutures made from this material exhibit good degradation capabilities, with the degradation products being CO2 and H2O, which are completely harmless to the human body. Additionally, the outstanding mechanical properties of PGA ensure that the sutures meet strength requirements during application. Therefore, researchers began attempting to use PGA in sutures as early as the 1960s. However, due to high production difficulty, PGA sutures remained an expensive medical device for a long time.
The relationship between surgical sutures and Suture Material
The main part of the suture thread is made from surface-treated polymer fiber. The strength and degradation rate of the suture thread are primarily determined by the raw fiber. Therefore, the product performance of the raw fiber is crucial for the suture thread. Using suitable PGA monofilament or multifilament as raw materials can effectively prevent issues such as rapid loss of mechanical properties, thereby enhancing product quality.
