An absorbable lublicating coating applied to Vicryl sutures has improved the ease with which the sutures pass through tissue and has made handling and tying better. The coated sutures were found to be safe, strong and secure. No disadvantages were seen as a result of coating the synthetic absorbable Vicryl sutures in the 49 patients studied. Over-all, the coated Vicryl sutures eliminated some of the disadvantages of the braided synthetic absorbable suture without producing new problems.