Polyglycolic Acid Synthetic Absorbable Surgical Suture (PGA) elicits a minimal acute inflammatory reaction in tissues, which is followed by gradual encapsulation of the suture by fibrous connective tissue. Progressive loss of tensile strength and eventual absorption of PGA absorbable sutures occurs hydrolysis, where the polymer degrades to glycolic acid which is subsequently absorbed and metabolized by the body. Aborbtion begins as a loss of tensile strength without appreciable loss of mass.

PGA absorbable suture retains approximately 75% of the average E.P. tensile strength requirement at the end of the 2nd post implantation week, and more than 35% at the end of the 3rd week. The absorption of the suture is essentially complete between 50 and 90 days.