What is a disadvantage of using absorbable sutures?

Using absorbable sutures can lead to tissue reaction or inflammation, which is a significant disadvantage. While absorbable sutures are designed to break down over time and eliminate the need for suture removal, the materials used can still provoke an inflammatory response in some patients. This reaction may be due to the body's immune response to the suture material, which can complicate the healing process and sometimes lead to a slower recovery.

In contrast, absorbable sutures often have the benefit of having a specific tensile strength that decreases as they are absorbed, aiming to provide support to the tissue only as long as necessary. They are designed to result in less tissue reaction compared to non-absorbable sutures, as they generally eliminate the irritation caused by the presence of sutures for extended periods following a procedure. Additionally, because they are meant to absorb over time, they may not necessarily lead to a longer healing time, but rather facilitate a more natural healing process in certain scenarios.