Sterile surgical threads are used to close surgical wounds using surgical sutures, often known as stitches. They support the reattachment of human tissues after operations or wound healing. The two primary categories of sutures are absorbable and non-absorbable sutures. These are often made from a variety of organic or man-made materials.
The market worth of surgical sutures in 2021 was USD 4.04 billion and will reach USD 6.97 billion by 2030 at a 6.23% CAGR.
The development and emergence of the wound care management business have increased the demand for surgical sutures. Additional factors that accelerate the growth of the surgical sutures market include an increase in population, an increase in healthcare spending, a concerning rise in the prevalence of chronic diseases, a big rise in the number of surgical procedures, technological developments, healthcare awareness, and the number of hospitals.
Market Dynamics: Drivers, challenges, and trends
The market is fueled by various factors like the growing demand for minimally invasive procedures, the expansion of surgical suture supply, and the rising number of procedures.
Since the introduction of minimally invasive surgery, the percentage of cases requiring open surgery has steadily reduced (MIS). The demand for minimally invasive surgery has grown over time due to many benefits over traditional open surgery, including smaller and fewer scars, less discomfort, shorter hospital stays and recovery times, lower costs, and superior results. Additionally, minimally invasive surgery is preferred by surgeons since it speeds up healing and lowers the chance of problems such as intestinal adhesions, wound dehiscence, and incisional hernia. As a result, the market for surgical sutures is driven by the growing need for minimally invasive surgery.
On the other hand, the market is challenged by the availability of substitute wound care methods.
Surgical sutures can be substituted by topical skin adhesives (TSAs), zippers, sealing agents, and staples. These non-traditional approaches to wound care offer numerous benefits. For instance, surgeons can quickly close a long skin wound or a cut in a challenging-to-reach place using a skin stapler. Additionally, they require less time under anesthesia and are easier to remove than stitches. As the skin of the elderly population ages, these procedures become more effective. Furthermore, by preventing infection and other issues, wound care solutions help to accelerate healing and reduce scarring.
Furthermore, advances in suture technology led to the development of novel surgical sutures, like those based on human tendons.
Traditional sutures hold wounds closed until they have fully healed, but the coarse fibers can tear and harm the already sensitive tissues, resulting in pain and post-surgery problems. In April 2021, researchers from Montreal developed a ground-breaking strong gel-sheathed (TGS) suture modeled after a human tendon to address the problem. It strengthens the elastin network while tying collagen fibers together. TGS sutures can also provide customized therapy based on the patient’s requirements.
Market Segmentation
Type Insights
On the basis of type, the largest market was contributed by the absorbable segment, with 55% of the market share in 2021 because of its capability to provide temporary support to wounds while they heal and it’s capacity to withstand routine stress. Leading market players are investing in R&D projects, which will help the absorbable industry thrive in the future.
Filament Insights
The multifilament segment contributed the largest market share, with 50% of the revenue share in 2021. This is because multifilament strands provide advantages, including enhanced pliability, high tensile strength, and flexibility. Due to its endurance, monofilament sutures can cause suture crushing or crimping and unintended and early suture failure during surgery.
Application Insights
In 2021, the other segment ruled the entire market with 35.0% of the revenue share. Furthermore, the cardiovascular surgery segment was the second-largest market in 2021. This is due to the growing incidence of cardiac disorders, the availability of adequate expertise in the field, favorable reimbursement conditions, and advancements in diagnostics.
Regional Insights
North America held the maximum regional market in 2021 with 40.0% of the revenue share. This is mostly caused by the region’s aging population, increased rates of traffic accidents, diabetes and obesity, and rising numbers of burn cases. The market in North America is expanding due to the rising demand for cutting-edge surgical techniques and goods, such as biocompatible surgical sutures with antimicrobial coatings.
Key Players
- Medtronic plc
- Ethicon Inc. (Johnson & Johnson)
- B. Braun Melsungen AG
- Boston Scientific Corporation
- Teleflex Incorporated
- Smith & Nephew
- DemeTech Corporation
- Peters Surgical
- CONMED Corporation
- Surgical Specialties Corporation
- InternacionalFarmacéutica S.A. De C.V.
- Sutures India
- EndoEvolution, LLC
- Mellon Medical B.V.
The market worth of surgical sutures in 2021 was USD 4.04 billion and will reach USD 6.97 billion by 2030 at a 6.23% CAGR. The market is expanding due to the significant rise in the number of accidents, surgeries, heart transplants, and organ transplants.
