Sutures and suturing--current concepts.

Currently available suture materials can be classified as nonabsorbable and absorbable types. Too often the surgeon selects the material on the basis of handling properties alone. The "perfect" suture material does not exist. Physical properties such as tensile strength, reactivity, size, and absorbability must be considered in light of current knowledge of wound healing. Placement of sutures is obviously as important as selection of material.