Two hundred and thirty-six patients had a variety of skin and mucosal wounds sutured with a new rapidly absorbed suture material (irradiated polyglactin 910). No wound complications could be attributed to the material. These included 62 patients with scalp wounds, taking part in a comparative trial with traditional interrupted, monofilament, non-absorbable suturing. No difference in the cosmetic result could be detected three months later. The irradiated polyglactin disappeared from the wound surface spontaneously and suture removal was not normally required. Irradiated polyglactin 910 is suitable for closure of wounds where rapid suture absorption is desirable, particularly for wounds in the scalp, scrotum, and perineum and is an ideal material for mucocutaneous anastomosis at stoma surgery. Loss of suture strength is so rapid that suture removal is unnecessary, eliminating the need for further medical or paramedical care. As absorption is by hydrolysis rather than enzymatic digestion, stitch abscesses are not seen.