Which statement is true pertaining to the use of plain catgut sutures?

The statement that plain catgut sutures are absorbable is accurate. Plain catgut is made from the intestinal mucosa of sheep or cattle, which is a natural protein that the body can gradually break down. This ability to be absorbed by the body without the need for removal makes these sutures particularly useful in surgical procedures where it is beneficial for the material to dissolve over time as the tissue heals.

In addition to their absorbable nature, catgut sutures are typically used in situations where the healing process needs to be supported by a stitch that will eventually disintegrate, allowing the tissue to repair itself naturally. This quality helps minimize the need for follow-up procedures to remove sutures, making them advantageous in certain surgical settings.

The other statements regarding catgut sutures do not hold true. For instance, they are not non-absorbable, which rules out the first statement. The assertion that they are prone to causing significant infection is misleading; while any suture material can lead to infection if not used correctly, absorbable sutures like catgut have been traditionally seen as less prone than some non-absorbable materials when it comes to chronic inflammation and infection risk. Lastly, catgut is derived from biological materials, not synthetic