Understanding the Difference in Absorbable vs Non-Absorbable Veterinary Sutures

In veterinary surgery, choosing the right suture material is as crucial as surgical precision itself. Each thread placed into living tissue has a purpose, to close wounds, control bleeding, and support healing. The difference between absorbable and non-absorbable sutures defines not just the healing process but also the long-term outcome for the animal.

Whether performing a mass closure of a midline laparotomy, a vascular anastomosis, or a hand-sewn bowel anastomosis, understanding the function, strength, and reaction of each suture type ensures predictable recovery, reduced infection risk, and optimal wound healing.

What Are Surgical Suture Materials?

Surgical suture materials are sterile threads used to close wounds or incisions, approximating tissue edges during the healing process. These materials can be synthetic or natural, and they are either absorbable or non-absorbable. They vary widely in structure, tensile strength, and handling characteristics, which makes them suitable for different types of tissue and surgical procedures. In veterinary surgery, suture materials must consistently perform well in various tissues, including skin, muscle, fascia, tendons, and delicate internal organs, where different healing environments and tissue types present unique challenges.

The selection of the appropriate suture material depends on several factors, including the healing speed of the tissue, the amount of tension at the closure site, and the duration of support required. For example, tissues like skin heal faster than internal organs and require different materials. Additionally, factors like infection risk or the tissue's reactivity to the suture material are critical in determining the best choice for each specific procedure. 

Absorbable Sutures – Supporting Healing from Within

Absorbable sutures are designed to break down naturally in the body after serving their purpose. They provide temporary tissue support while healing occurs, then are safely absorbed through enzymatic or hydrolytic processes. These sutures are ideal for internal closures, soft tissue surgeries, and procedures where suture removal is impractical.

Common Absorbable Suture Materials

Material	Absorption Time	Key Features
Polydioxanone (PDO)	180–210 days	Long-term support, strong tensile strength, minimal tissue reaction. Ideal for fascia and tendon repair.
PGCL (Polyglycolide-co-ε-Caprolactone)	90–120 days	Smooth passage, low tissue drag, consistent absorption. Excellent for soft tissue closures.
PGA (Polymer of Glycolic Acid)	60–90 days	Excellent knot security, reliable handling, mid-term absorption. Suitable for general veterinary surgery.
Chromic Catgut	90–120 days (tensile strength loss in 15–20 days)	Natural suture, enzymatic absorption, extended with chromic treatment. Ideal for mucosal and soft tissue closures requiring short-term support.

How Absorbable Sutures Work

The absorption process depends on whether the suture is synthetic or natural:

• Synthetic sutures such as Polydioxanone (PDS), PGA, and PGCL degrade through hydrolysis. In this process, water molecules gradually break the polymer chains, reducing tensile strength over time until the suture is fully absorbed. Hydrolytic absorption is predictable, clean, and causes minimal tissue inflammation, a key advantage in veterinary surgeries. 
• Natural sutures, like Chromic Catgut, are absorbed enzymatically. The animal’s body breaks down the suture material using proteolytic enzymes, similar to how it digests natural collagen. This process is less predictable than hydrolysis and varies based on tissue environment, enzyme activity, and local inflammation.

For further information explore this guide on How Absorbable Sutures Work and How Long They Last.

 

Why Absorbable Sutures Are Important in Veterinary Surgery

Absorbable sutures eliminate the need for removal, which reduces stress for animals and time for veterinary staff. They are most effective for internal layers that heal at predictable rates.

Key Advantages:

• Naturally dissolve, avoiding second procedures. 
• Reduce foreign body reaction over time. 
• Offer consistent tensile retention for internal tissue healing. 
• Lower infection risk compared to long-term non-absorbables. 

Common Applications:

• Gastrointestinal surgery (hand-sewn bowel anastomosis) 
• Subcutaneous tissue closures 
• Urogenital and abdominal wall repairs 
• Tendon and fascia closures requiring delayed absorption 

Non-Absorbable Sutures – For Permanent Strength and Durability

Non-absorbable sutures are designed to remain intact indefinitely. They are used when long-term or permanent support is required, such as in orthopedic, vascular, or dermal closures. These sutures may either be left in place permanently (internally) or removed once the wound has healed.

Common Non-Absorbable Suture Materials

In veterinary surgery, non-absorbable sutures are chosen when tissues require prolonged or permanent mechanical support. Among these, Polyamide 6 / 6,6 (Nylon) stands out as one of the most reliable materials for skin closures and external sutures.

Manufactured as a monofilament, nylon offers exceptional durability and smooth passage through tissue, minimizing trauma and the risk of infection. Its low tissue reactivity makes it ideal for external use, ensuring that healing proceeds without significant inflammation or irritation. Because it does not degrade in the body, nylon provides consistent long-term tensile strength, allowing for stable wound approximation during the entire healing period.

Veterinarians often select Polyamide 6 / 6,6 for closing incisions following orthopedic procedures, spays, and general soft-tissue surgeries where suture removal is possible once healing is complete. Its handling ease, knot security, and resistance to bacterial adherence make it a trusted choice for maintaining clean, secure closures across diverse veterinary applications.

How Non-Absorbable Sutures Function

Non-absorbable sutures act as permanent foreign bodies, maintaining mechanical support until the tissue has completely regained its strength, or indefinitely in high-stress areas. Materials like nylon and prolene are chosen for their biocompatibility, durability, and smooth tissue passage, while silk sutures provide superior knot control for secure closures.

When paired with the correct surgical needle, such as reverse cutting needles for skin or round-bodied needles for internal tissues, non-absorbables enable precise closure with minimal trauma.

Advantages of Non-Absorbable Sutures

• Maintain strength for long-term tissue support. 
• Provide excellent knot security in multifilament silk and polyester materials. 
• Minimal tissue drag with monofilament nylon or prolene. 
• Suitable for high-tension areas and delayed healing sites. 

Common Applications

• Skin and external closures where removal is possible. 
• Vascular prosthesis attachment. 
• Orthopedic and tendon repairs. 
• Long-term implants or structural repairs. 

Evaluating Suture Construction and Performance

When selecting sutures, veterinarians assess several parameters that determine how the material behaves during and after surgery:

1. Initial Tensile Strength

This refers to how much load the suture can bear before breaking. Polydioxanone (PDO) provides long-term strength for slow-healing tissues, while PGA and PGCL offer moderate retention ideal for general surgeries.

2. Knot Security

Knot stability is essential for wound integrity. Braided sutures like PGA hold knots tightly, while monofilament sutures require additional throws in a triangular knot or interrupted pattern to ensure reliability.

3. Tissue Healing Compatibility

Sutures must complement the healing speed of the tissue. For example, Chromic Catgut provides short-term support, losing tensile strength in 15–20 days, perfect for tissues that heal quickly, such as mucosa or soft skin layers.

4. Inflammatory and Tissue Reaction

Synthetic sutures (e.g., PDO, PGA) evoke minimal inflammatory response, whereas natural sutures like silk or catgut may cause mild inflammation or foreign body reaction if left for extended periods.

5. Handling Characteristics

A suture’s flexibility and memory affect ease of use. PGCL and PGA provide smooth passage through tissue with minimal drag, whereas nylon can be stiffer but offer unmatched strength.

Postoperative Care and Tissue Monitoring

After suturing, the focus shifts to wound care and monitoring for any signs of infection, swelling, or redness. Veterinarians must assess for stitch reactions and ensure proper wound dressing is maintained to support healing.

Restricting physical activity during recovery is essential to prevent suture stress or wound reopening. Absorbable sutures typically dissolve over time, while non-absorbables are removed once sufficient healing has occurred.

Conclusion – Trusted Veterinary Sutures by Gexfix

Selecting between absorbable and non-absorbable sutures is more than a technical decision, it’s about balancing healing biology, tissue demands, and surgical precision. From Polydioxanone (PDO) for long-term internal support to Polyamide (Nylon) for durable skin closures, each suture material contributes uniquely to animal recovery and comfort.

For dependable quality and proven performance, Gexfix International Corp., the official distribution partner of Assut Europe S.P.A., delivers a full range of certified absorbable and non-absorbable sutures, surgical needles, adhesives, and staplers, crafted with precision and trusted worldwide by veterinary professionals.

Explore Gexfix’s veterinary surgical range today or become a distributor to experience the assurance of innovation, consistency, and excellence in every closure.

FAQs

1. What are examples of absorbable sutures?

Common absorbable sutures include Polydioxanone (PDO), Polyglycolic Acid (PGA), PGCL, and Chromic Catgut. These materials provide temporary wound support, gradually losing tensile strength as tissues heal naturally.

2. What are examples of non-absorbable sutures?

Non-absorbable sutures include Polyamide 6 or 6,6 (Nylon), Prolene (Polypropylene), and stainless steel. They are ideal for long-term tissue support or external closures that require suture removal after healing.

3. When should dissolvable vs non-dissolvable stitches be used?

Dissolvable stitches are used internally or in tissues that heal quickly, such as mucosa or fascia. Non-dissolvable stitches are reserved for skin closures or tissues needing long-term reinforcement.

4. How can you identify absorbable sutures?

Absorbable sutures are labeled with materials such as PDO, PGA, or Catgut and have defined absorption periods (e.g., 60–210 days). Packaging and product codes also indicate suture type and degradation rate.