Sutures and ligatures in surgery

Abstract

The spectacular advances in organic chemistry, in the physical sciences and in engineering technology which characterize the last three decades have led to the introduction of an array of new suture materials in surgery, particularly the metallic wires and the synthetic non-absorbable fibres. The different types of absorbable and non-absorbable sutures are classified and summarized. A new completely synthetic absorbable suture which has become recently available, namely the polyglycolic acid (P.G.A.): "Dexon" is discussed. Additionally, the advantages and disadvantages of absorbable and non-absorbale sutures are outlined, whereby the ideal suture material would be a perfect union of easy sterilisation, adequate tensile strength, handling ease, absence of foreign body reaction, and complete tissue absorption.