A braided surgical silk suture with controllable biodegradability via enzymatic hydrolysis

Surgical sutures are essential in wound closure, with different wound sites demanding sutures with specific mechanical properties and biodegradation rates. While silk sutures have a rich history of clinical use, they are typically regarded as nonabsorbable due to their slow degradation in the human body. In this study, we present the development of an absorbable surgical silk suture (ASS) that features controllable biodegradability and mechanical properties, along with excellent biocompatibility and antibacterial attributes. The ASS was created through a straightforward enzymatic hydrolysis process using proteinase K on degummed braided silk sutures. Additionally, we enhance the mechanical properties of the ASS by applying a regenerated silk fibroin (RSF) coating technology, which uses vapor treatment under water and methanol atmospheres. This combination of enzymatic hydrolysis and RSF coating technology allows for the customization of ASS's biodegradation rates while ensuring that the suture diameter and tensile strength comply with the United States Pharmacopeia (USP) standards for absorbable sutures. This innovative approach addresses the dynamic needs of medical professionals and patients alike, providing a novel solution for wound closure.