Dissolvable Sutures: Materials, Types, Absorption Time & How They Work
- Barret
- Last update: Sep 30,2026
Dissolvable sutures, also known as absorbable sutures or dissolvable stitches, are designed to support tissue temporarily while a wound heals, then gradually break down inside the body. Unlike non-absorbable sutures, they usually do not need to be removed once healing is complete.
However, not all dissolvable sutures behave the same way. Their strength retention, flexibility, structure and absorption time depend largely on the material they are made from. Common synthetic options include polyglycolic acid (PGA), polyglactin 910 (PGLA), polydioxanone (PDO) and glycolide-caprolactone copolymers.
In this guide, you will learn how these materials differ, how dissolvable sutures work, and what determines their absorption time. Understanding these differences also explains why some sutures lose strength within a few weeks, while others continue to support tissue for much longer.
Table of Contents
What Are Dissolvable Sutures?
Dissolvable sutures are surgical threads made from materials that gradually degrade after implantation.
Their primary purpose is to hold tissue together during the period when the wound does not yet have enough strength to support itself.
As healing progresses, the suture gradually loses mechanical strength. The remaining material is then broken down and absorbed over time.
This is why absorbable sutures are commonly used for internal tissue closure, subcutaneous closure and procedures where later suture removal would be inconvenient or unnecessary.
A key point is that “dissolvable” does not mean that the suture simply dissolves immediately when exposed to body fluids.
Synthetic absorbable sutures generally degrade through hydrolysis of their polymer chains, while natural absorbable materials such as catgut are broken down mainly through enzymatic processes.
How Do Dissolvable Sutures Work?
Most modern synthetic absorbable sutures are made from biodegradable polymers. After implantation, water gradually penetrates the material and triggers hydrolysis, a chemical reaction that breaks susceptible bonds in the polymer backbone.
From that point, the process follows a predictable sequence:
- Molecular weight falls. Hydrolysis cuts the polymer chains into shorter fragments.
- Tensile strength declines. Shorter chains cannot carry as much load, so the suture gradually weakens.
- Tissue gains strength. Meanwhile, the wound heals and the surrounding tissue takes over the mechanical load.
- The polymer keeps degrading. Once strength is lost, the material continues to break down and starts to lose mass.
- Degradation products are absorbed. The body eventually metabolizes or eliminates the small breakdown products.
The aim is a good handover: the suture should hold long enough for the wound to become self-supporting, then step aside.
What Are Dissolvable Sutures Made Of?
Dissolvable sutures, also called absorbable sutures, are made from materials that gradually break down after implantation. They can generally be divided into natural and synthetic absorbable materials.
Natural Absorbable Sutures
Traditional natural absorbable sutures include plain catgut and chromic catgut.
These materials are mainly collagen-based and are degraded through enzymatic and biological processes. Their degradation can be less predictable than that of synthetic absorbable polymers.
Synthetic Absorbable Sutures
Most modern absorbable sutures are made from biodegradable synthetic polymers. These materials mainly degrade through hydrolysis, allowing manufacturers to better control strength retention and absorption behavior.
Common materials include:
PGA — Polyglycolic Acid / Polyglycolide: commonly used for braided absorbable sutures and offers good initial strength.
PGLA 910 — Poly(glycolide-co-L-lactide) 90:10: commonly used in braided sutures and provides a balance of strength and degradation.
PDO — Polydioxanone: typically used for monofilament sutures where longer-lasting tissue support is needed.
PGCL — Glycolide/Caprolactone Copolymer: offers greater flexibility and is commonly used for absorbable monofilaments.
PLCL — Poly(L-lactide-co-ε-caprolactone): a flexible and elastic copolymer suitable for soft absorbable monofilament applications.
PGA vs PGLA vs PDO vs PGCL
The main difference between absorbable suture polymers lies in their polymer chemistry, filament structure, flexibility and strength-retention profile.
The table below provides a general comparison of commonly used materials:
| Suture Polymer | Polymer Type | Typical Suture Structure | Relative Strength-Support Period | Key Material Characteristic |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PGA | Glycolide homopolymer | Commonly braided | Short to medium | High crystallinity and good fiber strength |
| PGLA 910 | Glycolide/L-lactide copolymer | Commonly braided | Medium | Balanced strength and predictable degradation |
| PDO | Polydioxanone homopolymer | Commonly monofilament | Longer | Flexible with slower loss of support |
| PGCL | Glycolide/caprolactone copolymer | Commonly monofilament | Short to medium | Flexible with softer handling |
| PLCL | L-lactide/caprolactone copolymer | Commonly monofilament | Variable | Flexible, elastic and suitable for softer filaments |
In general, PGA and PGLA are more commonly associated with braided sutures, while PDO, PGCL and PLCL are frequently used for monofilament structures.
How Long Do Dissolvable Sutures Take to Dissolve?
There is no single dissolution time for all absorbable sutures.
Depending on the polymer and finished-suture design, a suture may lose most of its useful mechanical strength within several weeks, while the remaining material can take several additional months to be fully absorbed.
As a general comparison:
PGA-based sutures usually provide relatively short- to medium-term support.
PGLA 910 sutures typically provide intermediate support.
PGCL-based sutures are often designed for relatively shorter-term flexible support.
PDO sutures are commonly selected when longer-lasting tissue support is required.
PLCL-based sutures can offer flexible performance, with degradation behavior depending strongly on copolymer ratio and polymer grade.
For example, published data for finished sutures report complete absorption of around 56–70 days for some polyglactin 910 products, while certain PDO sutures may require approximately 180–210 days for complete absorption.
These values should only be used as general references. Actual absorption time can vary with the polymer composition, molecular weight, filament diameter, manufacturing process, sterilization method and implantation environment.
Most importantly, loss of tensile strength does not mean the suture has been completely absorbed. A suture may stop providing useful tissue support long before the remaining polymer disappears.
Strength Retention Is Not the Same as Absorption Time
A common misunderstanding is that a dissolvable suture remains mechanically strong until the day it completely disappears.
In reality, strength retention and complete absorption are two different things. A suture may lose much of its useful mechanical strength before the remaining polymer has been fully degraded and absorbed.
Tensile strength retention refers to how much of the original mechanical strength remains after implantation, while complete absorption refers to how long it takes before the remaining material is substantially broken down and absorbed by the body.
A dissolvable suture does not stay fully strong until it disappears. In most cases, useful tissue-support strength declines earlier, while the remaining polymer continues degrading over a longer period.
This distinction is important when evaluating absorbable suture materials such as PGA, PGLA, PDO, PGCL and PLCL, because the required support period may be very different from the total absorption time.
Monofilament vs Braided Absorbable Sutures
The polymer itself is only one factor that determines suture performance. Absorbable sutures can also be manufactured as either monofilament or multifilament/braided structures.
Monofilament Sutures
A monofilament suture is made from a single continuous filament. Common absorbable polymers used for monofilament sutures include:
- PDO
- PGCL
- PLCL
- other flexible biodegradable copolymers
Monofilaments generally have a smoother surface and lower capillarity. Their flexibility, knot security and handling behavior depend strongly on the polymer type, molecular weight and processing conditions.
Braided Sutures
Braided sutures are made by combining multiple smaller filaments into one suture structure. Materials commonly associated with braided absorbable sutures include:
- PGA
- PGLA 910
Braiding can improve flexibility and handling, while surface coatings may be used to reduce friction and improve passage through tissue.
Why Does Suture Structure Matter?
The same polymer can behave differently depending on how it is processed into the final filament structure.
For suture manufacturers, polymer selection should therefore consider both the target material properties and whether the finished product will be monofilament or braided.
| Structure | Common Materials | Typical Characteristic |
|---|---|---|
| Monofilament | PDO, PGCL, PLCL | Smooth surface, flexible, lower capillarity |
| Braided | PGA, PGLA 910 | Good handling and flexibility |
The actual performance depends on the polymer grade, filament diameter, drawing process, braiding design and any surface coating applied.
Where Are Dissolvable Sutures Used?
Absorbable sutures are commonly used in procedures where temporary tissue support is needed and later suture removal is unnecessary or inconvenient.
Typical applications may include:
- internal soft-tissue closure
- subcutaneous closure
- gastrointestinal procedures
- oral and dental surgery
- gynecological procedures
- pediatric procedures
- selected abdominal or fascial closures
The most suitable suture depends on how quickly the tissue heals and how long mechanical support is required.
For manufacturers, the target application therefore plays an important role in selecting the appropriate polymer, filament structure and material specification.
For Suture Manufacturers: Choosing the Right Polymer
For absorbable suture manufacturers, selecting the right polymer involves more than choosing between PGA, PGLA 910, PDO, PGCL or PLCL.
The polymer specification can influence both fiber processing and the performance of the finished suture. Important factors may include:
- polymer chemistry and copolymer ratio
- inherent viscosity
- molecular weight
- crystallinity
- melt-processing behavior
- moisture content
- thermal stability
- monofilament or braided structure
- target strength-retention period
- target absorption profile
- sterilization method
For example, a polymer intended for melt spinning into high-strength suture fibers may require a different molecular-weight or inherent-viscosity range from a polymer used for lower-molecular-weight applications.
Polylactide supplies biodegradable polymers for absorbable suture manufacturing, including PGA, PGLA 90:10, PDO, PGCL and PLCL, with different viscosity ranges and custom specifications available for evaluation.
Looking for a Polymer for Absorbable Suture Manufacturing?
We can help evaluate a suitable material specification for your processing requirements.
Explore Absorbable Suture Materials →
Frequently Asked Questions
Are dissolvable sutures the same as absorbable sutures?
Yes. “Dissolvable sutures” and “dissolvable stitches” are common terms for absorbable sutures. These sutures are designed to provide temporary tissue support and then gradually lose strength and degrade inside the body.
What are dissolvable sutures made of?
They can be made from either natural or synthetic absorbable materials. Common synthetic polymers include PGA, PGLA 910, PDO, PGCL and PLCL. Natural absorbable sutures include collagen-based materials such as catgut.
How do synthetic dissolvable sutures break down?
Most synthetic absorbable sutures degrade mainly through hydrolysis. Water gradually breaks susceptible bonds in the polymer chains, reducing molecular weight and mechanical strength over time.
How long do dissolvable stitches take to dissolve?
There is no single timeline. Depending on the polymer and finished-suture design, useful mechanical strength may decline within weeks, while complete absorption may take several weeks to several months.
Does a suture disappear when it loses its strength?
No. Strength retention and complete absorption are different. A suture can lose most of its useful mechanical strength while some of the polymer material is still present.
What is the difference between PGA and PDO sutures?
PGA is a relatively crystalline polymer commonly associated with braided absorbable sutures, while PDO is more commonly used for monofilament sutures and generally provides longer-lasting tissue support.
What is PGLA 910?
PGLA 910, also known as polyglactin 910, is a copolymer made primarily from glycolide with approximately 10% L-lactide. It is commonly used for braided absorbable sutures.
Which polymers are used to manufacture absorbable sutures?
Common synthetic suture polymers include PGA, PGLA 910, PDO, PGCL and PLCL, along with other biodegradable polyester and copolymer systems. The appropriate material depends on the required filament structure, processing behavior, strength-retention period and degradation profile.
Developing an Absorbable Suture?
We supply PGA, PGLA 90:10, PDO, PGCL, PLCL and other biodegradable polymers for absorbable suture manufacturing.
Whether you are developing a braided or monofilament suture, we can help evaluate suitable polymer specifications based on your target processing and performance requirements.
Tell us your:
- target polymer
- required inherent viscosity or molecular weight
- monofilament or multifilament structure
- target suture size
- estimated quantity
Research quantities and scale-up supply are available. Custom polymer specifications can also be discussed.