Composition & Material:

DemeTech’s Rapid Absorbable suture is synthesized from copolymers, primarily composed of 90% glycolide and 10% L-lactide.

Reactivity & Absorption:

• The suture is nonantigenic, ensuring only minimal tissue reactivity during its absorption phase.
• The suture's unique molecular weight makes it absorb faster than other synthetic absorbable sutures.
• Total absorption time for DemeTech’s Rapid Absorbable is between 42 to 56 days.

Color & Availability:

The suture is available in two shades: violet and colorless.

Distinct Features:

• The suture combines the best of both natural and synthetic worlds:
• Low infection rate typical of synthetic sutures.
• Quick absorption and high tensile strength observed in collagen sutures (like catguts).
• The suture is coated to ensure smooth passage through tissues.

Tensile Strength:

Clinical trials revealed that:

• 5 days post implantation: 50% of its initial strength remains.
• 10-14 days post implantation: The suture's linear tensile strength drops to approximately 0%.

Conclusion:

DemeTech's Rapid Absorbable suture offers an optimal balance of rapid absorption with the strength and safety of synthetic materials. This makes it a suitable choice for procedures that require short-term wound support without the long-term presence of suture material. Surgeons should be aware of its rapid loss of tensile strength and plan their procedures accordingly.

Inflammatory Reaction:

Upon implantation, the DemeQUICK suture causes only a minimal acute inflammatory reaction in tissues.

Encapsulation Process:

The initial inflammatory response is succeeded by the gradual encapsulation of the suture. This encapsulation is performed by fibrous connective tissue, which surrounds the suture, offering some degree of isolation.

Degradation and Absorption Mechanism:

• The suture's tensile strength diminishes progressively due to hydrolysis. During this chemical breakdown process, the copolymer constituting the suture degrades into simpler compounds: glycolic and lactic acids.
• These resultant acids are not left as residuals but are absorbed and further metabolized by the body, ensuring no long-term foreign material presence.

Absorption Characteristics:

• The initial phase of absorption manifests as a loss in tensile strength, with no significant reduction in the suture's mass or volume.
• Based on implantation studies, the absorption of DemeQUICK is rapid and essentially complete around the 40-day mark post-implantation.

Conclusion:

DemeQUICK offers a balance of strength during the crucial initial healing phase and rapid absorption, making it suitable for surgical procedures where prolonged suture presence is unnecessary or undesirable. The suture's design ensures minimal tissue reaction and a clear metabolic pathway for the degraded material, providing a favorable environment for healing.

Intended Use

• Purpose: The DemeQUICK (Rapid Absorbable) Surgical Suture is designed for superficial soft tissue approximation, notably in the skin and mucosa.
• Duration of Support: The suture provides wound support for a short duration, typically between 7 to 10 days.
• Limitations: This suture is not suitable for ligation, cardiovascular, ophthalmic, or neurological procedures.

Warnings

• Sterility: Do not attempt to re-sterilize. The suture remains sterile unless its packaging is compromised.
• Storage: Maintain at room temperature and avoid prolonged exposure to high temperatures.
• Salt Solution Exposure: Limit prolonged suture contact with salt solutions to prevent calculus formation.
• Knowledge Requirement: Prior familiarity with surgical procedures involving absorbable sutures is essential.
• Surgical Protocols: Ensure adherence to appropriate surgical procedures, especially concerning drainage and closure of infected or potentially contaminated wounds.
• Patient-specific Concerns: Consider patient health and other conditions that might delay wound healing. For wounds subject to stretching, expansion, or requiring extra support, consider using supplemental non-absorbable sutures.
• Needle Safety: Handle surgical needles with care to prevent accidental needle sticks. Used needles should be discarded in designated 'Sharps' containers.
• Reuse: Do not reuse. Reusing single-use devices can lead to cross-contamination, posing risks to both patients and staff.

Precautions

• Immobilization: In specific circumstances, such as during orthopedic procedures, external support might be necessary.
• Skin Sutures Duration: Skin sutures that stay in place for more than 7 days could cause localized irritation and should be accordingly managed.
• Handling: Handle sutures with care to prevent damage. Be especially mindful when using surgical instruments.
• Knotting: Ensure secure knot placement. A flat and square tie technique is recommended, with additional throws as necessary.
• Needle Grasping: Grasp the needle between one-third to one-half of its length from the swaged end for optimal handling and to prevent damage.
• Tissue Considerations: When using absorbable sutures in poorly vascularized tissues, anticipate potential suture extrusion and delayed absorption.
• Temperature: Avoid long-term exposure to high temperatures.

In Conclusion

DemeQUICK (Rapid Absorbable) Surgical Suture provides a balance of rapid absorption while offering short-term wound support. Its unique properties make it suitable for specific surgical applications where extended support is unnecessary. Proper handling, knotting techniques, and adherence to surgical best practices will optimize its utility and ensure patient safety.