Human tissue reaction to sutures

Tissue reaction to sutures was studied in 666 specimens obtained from patients from one day to 23 years after operation. Reaction to catgut depends on the stage of absorption and is mainly histocytic in type. Nonabsorbable sutures are encapsulated by a rim of connective tissue, while near the suture histocytes, giant cells and lymphocytes are found. This is most marked with silk and cotton, less so with Dacron, and least with nylon and wire. Tissue infiltration into the suture interstics is variable. The reactions resemble the findings in experimental animals.