[Absorbable material in surgery]

Synthetic absorbable sutures, copolymers of sugars absorbed slowly by hydrolysis within defined periods of time and well tolerated by tissues, are resistant to infection and in biological fluids. They represent, after 15 years of use, more than 50% of suture material employed in surgery, and although limited for a long time to thread they are now available as trellis, clips, visceral prostheses and staples in all surgical disciplines. Future perspectives are discussed.