As synthetic absorbable sutures are polymers, certain external factors can provoke, or even accelerate their process of degradation in vitro: they can depolymerise (an essential process for their absorption in vivo).  This phenomenon (hydrolysis), rare in "normal" use, expresses itself by a slight decolourization, a much higher rigidity, breaking at a moderate traction and when the process increases, by turning into powder. Even though synthetic sutures are subject to this phenomenon, monofilaments appear to be more sensitive.

In practice, if you have a doubt concerning the quality of sutures, it is always wise to check its knot tensile strength, as the beginning of the process of hydrolysis can be rapidly noticed when making knots.

For futher details regarding this subject, consult our rubric "Press"!