Advances, challenges, and prospects for surgical suture materials

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Materials Science
• Regenerative Medicine
• Surgical Technology

Background:

• Surgical sutures are essential medical devices for wound closure and tissue healing.
• Interdisciplinary advances in materials science, engineering, and biomedicine drive suture innovation.
• Current research focuses on absorbable materials, advanced fiber structures, and functionalization.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review recent advancements in surgical suture materials, fabrication, structure, and functionalization.
• To highlight innovative strategies for multifunctional and intelligent sutures.
• To provide a reference for future surgical suture design and development.

Main Methods:

• Comprehensive review of literature on surgical suture materials (natural, synthetic, absorbable, non-absorbable, metal).
• Analysis of fiber generation strategies, including advanced nanofiber techniques.
• Discussion of various suture structures, functionalization methods (surface coating, drug-loading), and intelligent suture concepts.

Main Results:

• Introduction of diverse suture materials with summarized advantages and disadvantages.
• Detailed discussion of fiber fabrication techniques and suture structures.
• Exploration of multifunctional sutures with surface coatings, drug-loading capabilities, and smart monitoring features.

Conclusions:

• Significant progress has been made in developing innovative and multifunctional surgical sutures.
• Intelligent sutures offer real-time wound monitoring and on-demand therapy.
• Further research into advanced biomaterials and regenerative medicine holds promise for future suture technology.