Which of the following types of suture is absorbable?

Vicryl is considered an absorbable suture material. It is made from a copolymer of glycolic acid and lactide, which allows it to be broken down by the body over time. This is beneficial in surgical procedures where temporary support is needed, as the suture will eventually be absorbed without the need for removal.

The breakdown process of absorbable sutures like Vicryl occurs through hydrolysis, where the suture material is degraded by water in the body, leading to a loss of tensile strength before it is completely absorbed. This characteristic makes Vicryl particularly useful in surgeries where the healing process takes place over a span of time and ultimately contributes to healing while minimizing the need for further procedures related to suture removal.

In contrast, other types of sutures listed such as silk, nylon, and polypropylene are non-absorbable. Silk sutures remain in the body unless they are manually removed, while nylon and polypropylene are synthetic materials that also retain their structure indefinitely unless taken out. This distinction highlights why Vicryl is the proper choice for the question regarding absorbable sutures.