Abstract
With the exception of sutures made from steel, all sutures are polymeric. Sutures are generally divided into two broad categories. Adsorbable sutures are absorbed by the healing tissue through proteolysis or hydrolysis. Non-absorbable sutures remain in the tissue, often for the lifetime of the patient. contains a listing of sutures in current use divided according to being absorbent or non-adsorbent. Each of these are briefly described.