Distinguishing features
Origin of the materials
Suture materials can be classified as being of natural or synthetic origin. One example of a natural suture material is silk.
The other main group of suture materials are those produced from synthetic polymers such as polyamide, polyolefines and polyesters.
These also include the absorbable polymers based on polyglycolic acid, polydioxanone and other absorbable polyesters.
Absorbability
Absorbable synthetic polymers are absorbed by hydrolysis.
An important measure of absorbability is the absorption time or halflife, which is defined as the time required for the tensile strength of a material to be reduced to half its original value.
Dissolution time is the time that elapses before a thread is completely dissolved.
These times are influenced by a large number of factors including thread thickness, type of tissue, and, not least, the general condition of the patient.
Absorption time
| Material | tensile strength | dissolution time |
|---|---|---|
| SERAPID® | min. 50% tensile strength after 5 days | after approx. 42 days |
| SERAFIT® | min. 50% tensile strength after 14 days | after approx. 90 days |
| SERAFAST® | min. 60% tensile strength after 7 days | after approx. 90 days |
| SERASYNTH® | min. 60% tensile strength after 28 days | after approx. 180–220 days |
| SERASYNTH® LOC | min. 65% tensile strength after 14 days | after approx. 180-220 days |






