Characteristics: Fast absorbing polyglycolic acid is intended to model the performance of collagen (surgical gut) suture. Indications: Coated Visorb Quick synthetic absorbable suture is indicated only for use in superficial soft tissue approximation of the skin and mucosa, where only short term wound support is required. Coated Visorb Quick suture is not intended for use in ligation, ophthalmic, cardiovascular or neurological procedures. Actions: Coated Visorb Quick elicits a minimal acute inflammatory reaction in tissue. Progressive loss of tensile strength and eventual absorption of Visorb Quick occurs by means of hydrolysis, where the copolymer degrades to glycolic and lactic acids which are subsequently absorbed and metabolized in the body. Tensile Strength: Subcutaneous tissue implantation studies of coated Visorb Quick sutures in rats show that 6-9 days post-implantation approximately 50% of the original tensile strength remains depending on suture size. All of the original tensile strength is lost by approximately 14 days post-implatation. Intramuscular implantation studies in rats shows that the absorption of these sutures occurs thereafter and is essentially complete by 42 days. Absorption: Absorption begins as a loss of tensile strength without appreciable loss of mass. Absorption of Visorb Quick sutures is essentially complete in 42 days