The surgeon is closing an abdominal incision and needs a retention suture. Which of the following sutures would be most likely used?

The choice of a retention suture in surgical procedures is primarily aimed at providing additional strength and support to the wound, especially in cases where the tissue may be under tension or at risk of dehiscence. Polydioxanone (PDS) is a synthetic absorbable suture that is known for its excellent tensile strength and prolonged support compared to many other sutures.

PDS maintains its strength for an extended period, allowing for adequate healing of the tissue before it is fully absorbed. This characteristic makes it suitable for use in retention sutures, where it is essential to keep the incision securely closed under tension during the healing process.

Other sutures listed, like Vicryl and catgut, have their applications but do not provide the same level of long-term tensile strength that is crucial for retention purposes. Vicryl, while absorbable, has a quicker loss of tensile strength, and catgut is also absorbable but has variable absorption rates and less predictability. Silk, being non-absorbable, provides excellent strength initially but can lead to issues such as tissue reaction and is not generally used for long-term support in closure if absorbable options, like PDS, are available.

Thus, the choice of PDS aligns with the need