From the Guidelines
Yes, Polydioxanone (PDS) suture is absorbed.
Suture Absorption
- The provided evidence suggests that slowly absorbable sutures, such as PDS, are recommended for the closure of midline incisions in emergency settings 1, 2, 3, 4, 5.
- Slowly absorbable sutures are defined as those that maintain their strength for a longer period, allowing for adequate wound healing before being absorbed by the body.
- PDS is a type of monofilament suture, which is recommended for the closure of midline laparotomies in emergency settings due to its potential to decrease the incidence of incisional hernia 5.
- The evidence does not provide a specific absorption rate for PDS, but it is classified as a slowly absorbable suture, implying that it is absorbed by the body over a period of time.
- The use of slowly absorbable sutures, such as PDS, is supported by randomized clinical trials and systematic reviews, which report a lower incisional hernia rate when used for closure of midline incisions in both elective and emergency settings 4.
From the Research
Absorption of Polydioxanone (PDS) Suture
- Polydioxanone (PDS) suture is absorbed in the body, with studies indicating a reliable absorption profile and minimal tissue reaction 6, 7, 8, 9, 10.
- The absorption process of PDS suture takes several months, with one study showing that it retains 25% of its tensile strength at 42 days and is fully absorbed in 130-180 days 8.
- Another study found that complete absorption of PDS suture in a tunnelled corneal stroma took five months, with no histological absorption detected until the end of the second month 9.
- The absorption of PDS suture is due to simple hydrolysis, and it elicits a low order of tissue response 10.
Characteristics of PDS Suture
- PDS suture has greater pliability than polypropylene suture and greater strength than other monofilament sutures 10.
- It retains its strength for longer periods than other synthetic absorbable sutures, with 58% of its strength remaining at four weeks and 14% at eight weeks 10.
- PDS suture is easy to handle and has been used successfully in various surgical applications, including cataract surgery and vascular surgery 7, 8, 9.