In some cases, for example, during the surgical procedure, as well as after childbirth, the application of absorbable sutures is required. For this, special material is used. There are many varieties of absorbable threads. The healing time of such wounds depends on many factors. So how long do self-absorbable sutures dissolve?
The main types of seams
To answer this question, it is necessary to clarify what the main types of seams exist. Typically, these are:
- Internal Similar sutures are applied to injuries resulting from mechanical stress. To connect the tissues at the rupture site, certain types of tissue are used. Such self-absorbable sutures heal quite quickly. Often they are imposed on women after childbirth on the cervix. In this case, anesthesia is not required, since this part of the genital organ is devoid of sensitivity.
- Outdoor. They can also be applied using absorbable material. After childbirth, such sutures are made at break or during dissection of the perineum, as well as after operations. If ordinary material is used, then its removal is required for 5-7 days after surgery.
It is worth considering that self-absorbable sutures can heal after a few weeks. It all depends on the type of material and its composition.
What are absorbable sutures
Self-absorbable sutures are almost always applied. It is extremely rare for wound healing to use surgical material that is resistant to hydrolysis. Absorbable joints are considered to be seams that lose their strength by 60 days. The dissolution of the threads as a result of exposure:
- The enzymes that are present in the tissues of the human body. In other words, these are proteins that control and accelerate the course of chemical reactions.
- Water. This chemical reaction is called hydrolysis. In this case, the threads are destroyed under the influence of water, which is present in the human body.
Synthetic woven polyglycolide thread "MedPGA"
Analogs of such surgical material are Safil, Polysorb, Vikril.
Self- absorbable sutures after surgery or after childbirth can be applied using the MedPGA thread. This surgical material is based on polyhydroxyacetyl acid. Absorbable polymer is coated on such threads. This is required to reduce wickiness and capillarity, as well as to reduce the sawing effect that occurs when the material is passed through the fabric.
How much does the MedPGA thread dissolve
Self-absorbable sutures, applied using the MedPGA thread, undergo hydrolytic decomposition, which is strictly controlled. It is worth noting that such a material is quite durable. After 18 days, the threads retain up to 50% of the strength properties.
Complete resorption of the surgical material occurs only after 60-90 days. At the same time, the reaction of body tissues to the “MedPGA” threads is negligible.
It is worth noting that such surgical material is widely used when suturing all tissues, except those that are under tension, and also do not heal for a long time. Most often, the MedPHA threads are used in thoracic and abdominal surgery, gynecology, urology, plastic surgery and orthopedics. However, it is not used on nerve and cardiovascular tissues.
Synthetic woven polyglycolide thread "MedPGA-R"
Analogs of such surgical material are Safil Quick, Vikril Rapid.
MedPGA-R is a synthetic thread made on the basis of polyglyglactin-910. Such surgical material is coated with a special absorbable polymer. This reduces friction when the thread passes through the tissues of the body, and also reduces wickiness and capillarity. Thanks to this surgical material, self-absorbable sutures can be applied.
How much does the MedPGA-R thread dissolve
MedPGA-R is a material that can be hydrolytically decomposed. These threads are strong enough. Five days later, 50% of their strength properties are retained. Complete resorption occurs only on 40-50 days. It should be noted that the reaction of tissues to the surgical material "MedPGA-R" is negligible. In addition, threads do not cause allergies.
Such material is used for suturing mucous membranes, skin, soft tissues, as well as in situations where short-term wound support is needed. However, there are exceptions. Such threads are not used on nerve and cardiovascular tissues.
Synthetic woven polyglycolide thread "MedPGA-910"
Analogs of such surgical material are Safil, Polysorb, Vikril.
"MedPGA-910" is an absorbable thread made on the basis of polyglyglactin-910. Surgical material is also treated with a special coating, which allows to reduce the “sawing” effect when the material passes through the tissues, as well as reduce capillarity and wickness.
Resorption terms "MedPGA-910"
So, when do the self-absorbable sutures imposed using the surgical material MedPGA-910 resolve? Such threads have a high rate of strength. However, they also undergo hydrolytic decomposition. After 18 days, the surgical material can retain up to 75% of the strength properties, after 21 days - up to 50%, after 30 days - up to 25%, and after 70 days the threads are completely resorbed.
This product is used when suturing soft tissues that are not under tension, as well as those that heal quickly, in plastic, chest and abdominal surgery, gynecology, urology and orthopedics. You can not use "MedPGA-910" when suturing nerve and cardiovascular tissues.
Monofilament "PDO"
There are not so many analogues of such surgical material. This is "Biosin", as well as PDS II. Such filaments are characterized by a high rate of biological inertness, are non-vital and non-capillary, hydrophobic, do not injure tissue when passing through them, are elastic, strong enough, fit well and hold the knot.
How many monofilaments dissolve
Monofilament "PDO" lends itself to hydrolysis. As a result of this process, dihydroxyethoxyacetic acid is formed, which is completely excreted from the body. 2 weeks after suturing, the surgical material retains up to 75% strength. Complete dissolution of the threads occurs within 180-210 days.
As for the area of application, the surgical material "PDO" is used for suturing and joining soft tissues of any type, including for stitching the cardiovascular tissues of the child's body, which are subject to further growth. However, there are exceptions. Monofilaments are not suitable for stitching tissues where support for wounds up to 6 weeks is required, as well as those that are subjected to heavy loads. Suture material cannot be used when installing implants, artificial heart valves, as well as synthetic vascular prostheses.
So how long will the seams dissolve?
Next, we consider everything regarding what constitute self-absorbable sutures after childbirth: when they resolve, do they require care. Do not forget that many factors affect the timing of wound healing and the complete disappearance of threads. First of all, you need to know what raw material the surgical material is made of. In most cases, the threads begin to dissolve 7-14 days after suturing. To speed up the process, after the wound heals, the healthcare provider can remove the nodules. To determine the timing of resorption of the threads, you should check with your doctor:
- What sutures were imposed.
- What material were the threads made of?
- Approximate periods of dissolution of suture material.
In conclusion
Self-absorbable sutures are often used when suturing surgical wounds that are located in the deep layers of tissues, as well as on the surface of the skin. For example, with an organ transplant.
The same surgical material is also used to suture wounds and tears obtained during childbirth. At the same time, a lot of research was conducted. Their results showed that suture material made from polyglycolic acid completely disappears only after four months, and polyglactin-based material after three. In this case, self-absorbable sutures will hold the edges of the wound until it is completely healed, and then gradually begin to collapse. If the threads are stored for a long time and cause discomfort, then you should seek the help of a surgeon or your doctor.