An ideal property of suture material?

• A. Low biocompatibility
• B. To have high initial strength
• C. Rapid absorption
• D. High memory

Answer: (B)

The key idea is that a suture must hold tissue together reliably during the early healing period. High initial tensile strength ensures the suture maintains tissue apposition and resists breaking as the wound begins to heal and collagen strengthens. If the initial strength is insufficient, the sutures can fail or edges can gape, leading to wound dehiscence. While biocompatibility, appropriate absorption, and low memory are also important, low biocompatibility would provoke inflammation or reaction, rapid absorption would remove support too quickly, and high memory means the suture tends to recoil and distort the tension, both of which are undesirable. So, high initial strength best satisfies the requirement for maintaining closure when it’s most needed.