Every deep wound requires stitches; otherwise, the bleeding can not stop. It shows that these sutures are essential to save a human or animal’s life. Not only are they common in wound treatment but also in facial beautification. Their primary purpose is to hold the tissues together for temporary and permanent duration for various reasons. Mainly, they are used for injuries, which could be related to accidents or medical surgery. Many applications rely on sutures, meaning these tiny thread-like medical instruments are life-saving elements. If you work in cosmetology, you might know about PDO surgical sutures. They absorb inside the skin slowly, like the absorbable sutures used in wound treatment. However, many types are available in the market, meaning only professionals know how to select them. This doesn’t mean you can’t see a bit about that selection process; instead, here is something that can make things clear for you. Absorbable Sutures Absorbable sutures dissolve in the body, as evident from their name. They are commonly used in medical surgeries and cosmetology for various applications. The absorption rate varies depending on the type of suture inserted inside the body. Some dissolve in a few weeks, and some in a few months. Some of the industry names are PDO, PGA, PLA, etc. Polyglycolic acid dissolves inside the body in around 90 days, while polydioxanone PDO takes over 200 days. PDO surgical sutures are more common in cosmetic treatments for rejuvenated looks. Lots of people seek this treatment to increase collagen production. PDO surgical sutures hold the dermal layers not against the wounds but to increase facial beauty. However, the rest of the absorbable sutures are used in medical surgeries to close the wounds. Synthetic Absorbable Sutures The synthetic type is a skin-friendly suture made with plastic polymers. It is absorbable without harming humans or animals, and its fast healing makes it essential in the medical and cosmetic industry. Therefore, people who get PDO surgical sutures inside their dermal layers are safe. Except in a few cases, most patients face no reaction after having synthetic absorbable sutures. Poliglecaprone and polylactic acids are some other examples that work for shallow wounds. These types are suitable for wounds that take less time to recover. Natural Absorbable Sutures You might have heard about the use of animal intestines for the production of surgical instruments. Well, it is accurate because of the absorbability of these sutures, which gives a natural result. Catgut, which is made with cow and sheep’s intestines, is used for that reason. It is widely used in the medical industry to bind soft tissues for timely healing. They absorb inside the body without causing any trouble for patients. Their fast healing is the reason they are preferred all over the world. Non-Absorbable Sutures Then comes the other type of sutures. These are non-absorbable sutures because some wounds take a long time to heal. They must be removed after the wound is healed. Therefore, polyester, silk, PP, and polyamide are the materials used for their production. These non-absorbable sutures hold the wound until it naturally closes itself. Then, the doctors remove them. There are also sub-categories of these sutures. Synthetic Non-Absorbable Sutures This one is made of PP, nylon (polyamide), and polyester. Although it is made of plastic polymer, it is a safe choice for deep wounds. Therefore, once the wound is recovered, these sutures are removed. Usually, these sutures are standard for skin wounds. Doctors use them to close the wounds on the skin, and it is a non-reactive suture. Just because they are synthetic and non-absorbable doesn’t mean they harm humans and animals. They remain connected with the skin for months, like months, without causing harm. Natural Non-Absorbable Sutures The natural type of non-absorbable sutures is safe for patients and is also common in wound closing. Silk and stainless steel are the two natural materials used in these natural, non-absorbable sutures. They hold the skin and membranes intact to make the wound. Stainless steel is good at corrosion resistance, which helps these sutures survive inside human skin. Monofilament Sutures Then, further details come in the form of monofilament sutures. They are single-strand sutures that go inside the skin or tissue smoothly. They penetrate the wound for quick and smooth binding, which makes it a less time-consuming operation. However, since they have a single strand, they make less grip. Some experts say that because of their structure, they pose less risk of bacterial growth. Multifilament Sutures The second type is a multifilament suture, which is braided or twisted. It requires more time and expertise to penetrate the tissue. However, it is better than the monotype for knots in the stitches. Although it makes stronger knots, it also slightly poses a risk of bacterial growth. Suture Size The last thing you can understand is suture size, which is as essential as any other detail. There is a wide range of suture sizes, from 10-0 to 7. This range describes the suture's diameter, denoted by numbers based on the details in a detailed chart. However, 7 is the largest suture size with the largest diameter size. The zeroes indicate the smallest size, which means 10-0 is the smallest for the most minor wounds. It goes from 7 to 0. Then, the smallest sizes start with the range 1-0, 2-0, and reach 10-0. This range helps doctors decide which suture is suitable for the wound since each wound has a different size. Moreover, internal organs need different suture sizes compared to external wounds. Conclusion Suture selection is a complicated process unless you are an expert. The medical industry uses different types and sizes, each with a different function. Choosing the wrong type and size can cause serious trouble for a patient. Wrong selection can cause bleeding or even bacterial growth. Therefore, precise selection is important in this process. Careful selection leads to perfect results.