[Comparison of the physical parameters and handling properties of short-duration and middle-duration absorbable suture materials].

In recent years the structure and coating of rapidly absorbable suture materials (RAS) have been changed: Dexon S----Dexon plus, Vicryl III----Vicryl IV. Medium fast absorbable sutures (MAS) have been introduced: Maxon and PDS. Being important clinical parameters, the knotting qualities were investigated, for instance knot holding capacity in dry and in NaCl or blood incubated sutures. The newest generations of RAS require more complicated configurations of knots than the initial products. After incubation in blood the knotting qualities improved only with Dexon plus.