Polyglycolic acid is composed of homopolymers of 100% Glycolide, making it an absorbable, synthetic, and sterile surgical suture being used in the medical field. The pga surgical suture is coated to allow for easier passage through tissues of the body with minimal drag. Here are some benefits offered by PGA surgical sutures.
- Better tissue support: As compared to other surgical sutures used in the medical field polyglycolic acid surgical sutures allow efficient holding of the wound, especially when made of a specific material such as latex, which further increases the rate of healing of the wound. Also due to better tissue support, the period of recovery shortens, skin is less prone to irritation, and the possibility of infection due to incomplete healing is reduced to a greater extent.
- Greater tensile strength: Polyglycolic acid are those surgical sutures that have enhanced knot security and help to maintain the minimum fifty percent of the tensile strength for at least a time period of 25 days. These particular threaded sutures are used to tie inline or close a cannula and there is no need for any other tools to remove it. PGA sutures act as a great substitute for sewing for surgical peripheral nerve repair.
- Minimal tissue reaction: Polyglycolic acid surgical sutures are made up of a synthetic and braided polymer making them less reactive and compared to other surgical sutures are better able to resist the infection caused due to the bacteria contamination. After the graft is extended suture elongation is increased by injecting the right amount of polyglycolic acid into the suture groove before it is inserted into the skin. By doing this, irritation to the graft site and the possibility of scar tissue establishment are reduced.
- Helps in the facial nerve regeneration: PGA is used by surgeons to enhance the regeneration of facial nerve by placing the stem cells of the human bone marrow into a PGA tube and observing the effects of neural regeneration. The suitability of the polyglycolic acid surgical sutures depends on the fact that these are absorbable and are approved by FDA for nerve grafting. Although the research for nerve grafting is in the early stage, the studies conducted as far by the researcher indicate PGA as the resource showing promising results for generating nerve graft structures.
- Construction of nerve conduits: Polyglycolic acid is the first used suture material to be used to construct nerve conduits after the limitation of silicon tubes came into the picture. The excellent mechanical properties and its capability of rapidly degrading into lactic acid make it the most common surgical suture in the healthcare sector. Also, animal studies have supported PGA tubes as great alternatives to nerve grafts.
Bottom Line
The above-mentioned benefits act as the guiding light for the surgeons to choose the tools appropriate for the surgeries. The polyglycolic acid surgical sutures allow the doctors to carry the surgery with utmost care and without any fear of infection to the wounds.
