PAEA Surgery EOR Exam 2025 – 400 Free Practice Questions to Pass the Exam

Polydioxanone is a synthetic absorbable suture material that is known for its performance in surgical stitching. One of its key characteristics is that it retains its tensile strength for a considerable duration before gradually losing it. Specifically, polydioxanone sutures are designed to lose approximately 50% of their tensile strength within 4-6 weeks after placement, and they typically lose most of their tensile strength within about 8 weeks. This makes them ideal for use in procedures where support is needed over a period that allows for natural tissue healing, such as in internal sutures.

In comparison, nylon and silk are non-absorbable sutures. Nylon can maintain tensile strength for a long time, often years, while silk may have a decline in mechanical properties over time but is used for its handling qualities rather than absorbability. Chromic gut, on the other hand, is an absorbable suture that loses tensile strength much more quickly, usually within a couple of weeks. Therefore, among the options listed, polydioxanone is the correct choice for a suture material that loses tensile strength in approximately 8 weeks.