Question:


Which of the following statements is true about the suture material shown in the image?

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This is catgut - a collagen-based absorbable suture cleared by phagocytosis and enzymes.
Updated On: Jun 23, 2026
  • Made of rabbit submucosa
  • Made of cat submucosa
  • Not degraded
  • Degraded by enzymatic degradation
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The Correct Option is D

Solution and Explanation

Step 1: The suture shown is catgut, a natural absorbable suture. Despite the name, it is not made from cats - it is collagen derived from the submucosa of the small intestine of healthy sheep or cattle.
Step 2: Being a natural protein-based material, catgut is removed from the body by biological processes. It is broken down by phagocytosis and enzymatic degradation, typically within 7 to 10 days for plain catgut.
Step 3: This makes option d correct. It is degraded (so option c, "not degraded", is wrong), and it comes from sheep or cattle intestine, not rabbit or cat submucosa (so options a and b are wrong).
Step 4: Clinically plain catgut loses tensile strength in vivo within 7 to 10 days with marked patient variability, causes high tissue reaction, and is used to ligate superficial vessels and suture rapidly healing tissues. It is not suitable where prolonged wound support is needed.
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