Polyglycolic acid suture in the urinary tract. A light and electron microscopic study

Cystotomies in 100 guinea pigs were closed with polyglycolic acid suture. Light and electron microscopic studies of wound areas showed a transitory acute inflammation, attributable to the trauma of insertion, followed by invasion of the suture braid by multinucleated giant cells. The notching and transection of braid fibers by these giant cells probably is responsible for the early loss of tensile strength reported for this suture.