[Pathophysiologic aspects, progressive and new developments in absorbable fully synthetic suture materials]

Polyglycolic acid (PGA) sutures and Polyglactin-910 sutures show only minimal tissue reaction, nearly no scar formation and no immunological reactions. PGA sutures of the third generation have the same advantages, but surgical handling is to much improved that they may be technically employed in unfavourable locations, e.g. gastrointestinal tract and respiratory organs. PGA sutures of the third generation and the new monofil Polydioxanon suture need special knot techniques.