Surgical Sutures Market Size, Share & COVID-19 Impact Analysis, By Product Type (Absorbable and Non-Absorbable); By Form (Natural and Synthetic); By Application (Gynecology, Cardiology, Orthopedics, General Surgery, and Others); By End-user (Hospitals & ASC’S, and Specialty Clinics), and Regional Forecast, 2021-2028

The global surgical sutures market size was USD 3.33 billion in 2020 and is projected to grow from USD 3.41 billion in 2021 to USD 5.12 billion in 2028, growing at a CAGR of 6.0% in the 2021-2028 period. Based on our analysis, the global market exhibited a decline of -21.0% in 2020 as compared to the average year-on-year growth during 2017-2019. The global impact of COVID-19 has been unprecedented and staggering, with surgical sutures witnessing a negative impact on the adoption rate across all regions amid the pandemic. The sudden rise in CAGR is attributable to this market’s demand and growth, returning to pre-pandemic levels once the pandemic is over.

Surgical sutures are a type of surgical equipment used to close any open wounds, ligate blood vessels during or after surgical procedures such as orthopedic surgery. These are mainly used for wound closure in all types of major surgeries such as cesarean section, joint replacement, cardiovascular procedures, and many more and minor surgeries such as dental restorations, cataract surgery, and others. The increasing incidence of road accidents and chronic diseases, resulting in a higher proportion of patients undergoing different kinds of surgeries, including ankle arthroplasty, hip replacement, bypass surgery, and many more.

• For instance, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), till February 2020, around 20-50 million people suffered from non-fatal injuries, of which some resulted in bone fractures, and have consecutively undergone ankle arthroplasty and other bone surgeries.

This is expected to influence the demand for this device in the near future and, in turn, is expected to boost the growth of this market during the forecast period in a significant way.

Postponement of Elective Surgeries due to COVID-19 Resulting in Declining Demand for Surgical Sutures

The COVID-19 had a negative impact on the global market. Many key market players witnessed a decline in the 2020 revenue as compared to the previous fiscal year. Elective surgeries were postponed with a view to preserving the healthcare resources for the COVID-19 emergency by the governments of many countries during the pandemic. For instance, according to data published by THE PUBLISHING PVT LTD., it was estimated that globally around 81.7% of surgeries related to benign conditions, 37.7% of cancer surgeries would be suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Along with this, several market players and research organizations had to postpone their projects related to other chronic diseases due to the imposing of lockdown. For example, in the U.K., approximately three-quarters of research projects on non-covid-19 related clinical studies were canceled in the first half of 2020. However, the recent outbreak of new covid-19 strain in countries such as the U.K., India, and others, is expected to further continue the trend of postponement of surgeries and will also impact the uptake of these devices. 

LATEST TRENDS

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Introduction of Advanced Sutures to Cater to Unmet Needs is a Vital Trend

Knotless, elastic, and electronic sutures are currently gaining popularity among healthcare providers owing to the clinical benefits offered by these products as compared to conventional sutures. These devices are capable of delivering drugs at target, measuring the temperature of the wound site, detecting infection, providing heat for primary healing, and stitching the extensive wounds more efficiently.

Several established players such as Smith & Nephew, as well as new entrants, are growing in this market by focusing on these new trending products. For instance, in September 2020, Smith & Nephew launched HELICOIL knotless suture that operates through the bone marrow and associated stem cells that boost the healing process. Thus, these advanced sutures pose a new opportunity for players to grow in this market apart from focusing on conventional absorbable and non-absorbable products.

DRIVING FACTORS

Increasing Number of Surgical Procedures to Boost Market Growth

The increasing number of knee replacements, hip replacements, hysterectomy, bypass surgeries, and cosmetic surgeries are elevating the use of this device to close wounds at a quicker pace.

• For instance, according to a report by HEALTHLINE MEDIA, there are approximately 600,000 knee replacement surgeries performed every year in the U.S. Also, according to data by Texas Heart Institute, approximately 200,000 coronary artery bypass graft surgeries are performed each year in the U.S.

Also, the rapidly increasing geriatric population is augmenting the demand and adoption of surgical sutures due to the increasing incidence of surgical procedures such as joint replacement, angioplasty, organ transplant among elderly patients. This is leading to higher demand for advanced devices by healthcare settings globally.

• For instance, according to a study published by the National Centre for Biotechnology Information, it was observed that every year around 30.0% of aged people fall due to difficulty in walking, which is leading to the rising number of patients undergoing knee replacement surgeries.

The above factors, along with the growing demand for automated suturing devices due to their efficiency during surgical intervention are boosting the uptake of these devices by healthcare professionals and are subsequently driving the surgical sutures market growth in the forecast period.

Introduction of Technologically Advanced Devices to Boost Market Growth

Growing awareness about advanced surgical interventions has propelled the market players to have a strong focus on R&D and launch new and innovative products in the market. Additionally, the rapid influx of new and automated sutures, with improved features, has led to a growing preference of surgeons towards these devices globally.

• For instance, in April 2021, Dolphin Sutures, a global leader in surgical sutures, announced the launch of non-absorbable polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) suture. PTFE is very strong, knots well, and is biologically inert.

The growth of the market is further augmented by advancements in material and tip of the suture which has revolutionized the suturing procedure during surgery. Increasing usage of advanced materials by manufacturers, which are biocompatible in nature and are prominent in reducing the healing time of the wound has led to higher demand and adoption of surgical sutures in the market.

• For instance, in September 2020, Smith & Nephew launched the HEALICOIL KNOTLESS suture anchor, which is made up of REGENESORB material. Distinct advantages of this bio-composite material is that it promotes the wound healing time and facilitates the implant to be absorbed and replaced by bone within 24 months.

RESTRAINING FACTORS

Availability of Alternative Treatment Option and Post Surgical Complications to Limit Growth

The availability of alternate products for wound healing, such as surgical staplers, is restricting the growth of this market. Despite the technological advancement in these devices, few drawbacks are limiting their usage in surgical procedures. Some of the limitations including, cross-hatched marks, surgical site infection, high cost of antibacterial devices, are restricting the adoption of sutures among surgeons.

• For instance, according to data published by National Center for Biotechnology Information, every year, approximately 5.0% of patients undergoing various surgeries, later on, develop surgical site infection due to the presence of bacteria in the sutures.

On the other hand, the staplers can quickly be placed at the wound site, possess better-wound healing capability, and are also cost-effective. Therefore, all the above factors, along with the lack of reimbursement policies for wound management in emerging countries resulting in lower surgery rates and subsequently limit the adoption of surgical sutures.

SEGMENTATION

By Product Type Analysis

Absorbable Segment to Capture Largest Share of this market during the Forecast Period

Among product types, the absorbable sutures generated comparatively higher revenue in 2020 due to widespread use in deep and delicate wounds. The main advantages of these devices are, they can support the wound by its high tensile strength and heal in less time in an efficient way.

However, the non-absorbable suture segment is also expected to grow with a moderate CAGR due to the requirements for follow-ups to remove stitches manually and higher post-operative care.

By Form Analysis

Synthetic Segment Captured Highest Market Share in 2020

On the basis of form, the synthetic segment captured the highest surgical sutures market share of the global market in 2020. The dominance is attributed to the comparatively lower incidence of hypersensitivity reaction using synthetic sutures during wound closure.

• For instance, according to a report by National Center for Biotechnology Information in 2020, the chances of hypersensitivity reaction were very less in surgical procedures when synthetic absorbable sutures such as nylon, polyglactin 910, polyamide 6/6 were used.

The natural segment is expected to register a comparatively lower CAGR during the forecast period due to its nature to react with tissues after wound closure.

By Application Analysis

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Orthopedics Segment Held Dominant Position in the Market in 2020

The orthopedics segment held a dominating share of the global market, followed by the gynecology segment. This is attributed to the increasing number of orthopedic disorders among the geriatric population, along with the increasing number of patients going through orthopedic surgeries globally.

• For instance, according to a report by ResearchGate, globally, the incidence of arthritis was 203 per 10,000 individuals.

The cardiology segment is expected to grow at a comparatively higher CAGR due to the rising number of different coronary artery diseases, arrhythmia leading to the higher number of bypass surgeries along with increased use of surgical sutures. Also, the general surgery segment is expected to register a significant CAGR growth rate owing to the increasing number of road accidents and general surgical procedures. On the other hand, the other segment is expected to register a moderate CAGR during the forecast period.

By End-user Analysis

Hospitals and ASC Segment Held Dominant Share in 2020 by Generating Higher Revenue

Based on the end-user analysis, the hospitals and ambulatory surgery centers (ASC) segment is dominating the market, and is expected to retain its position during the forecast period. This is due to the occurrence of a large number of surgical procedures in hospitals and ASC and favorable reimbursement policies offered for those procedures in emerging and developed countries.

Apart from that, the presence of experienced surgeons along with the developed technologies for complex surgical procedures in the hospitals and ASC helps in the growth of this segment in this market.

On the other hand, the specialty clinics are expected to register a significant CAGR during the forecast period. This is due to specialized treatment offered by these settings, comparatively less waiting time, and rising number of specialty clinics in emerging countries, including China, India, and others.

REGIONAL INSIGHTS

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The market size in North America stood at USD 1.34 billion in 2020. This is due to the rising prevalence of chronic diseases resulting in a large number of patients undergoing surgeries, leading to a rise in demand for surgical sutures. For instance, according to an estimation by the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC), approximately 63.0 million people were diagnosed with arthritis in 2020 and will reach 78.0 million people by the end of 2024. Along with this, the leading players of the U.S., including Ethicon US LLC, are constantly innovating technologically advanced devices. This, in turn, is increasing the adoption of these devices among healthcare settings and growing the market in a significant manner in this region.

The market is expected to grow with a significant CAGR in Europe due to the developed healthcare infrastructure in Germany, the U.K., and the introduction of the advanced suturing device by Smith & Nephew and other market players of this region. According to a report by the National Joint Registry, approximately 160,000 hip and knee replacement surgeries are performed each year in the England and Wales region. Thus, the increasing number of surgeries in European countries is further boosting the demand and adoption of surgical sutures.

Asia Pacific is expected to grow at a higher CAGR during the forecast period due to the increasing prevalence of gynecological and cardiovascular diseases resulting in an increasing number of surgery procedures, rising awareness for advanced surgical devices, and focus of the major players in the emerging countries. According to national estimates, around 1,453 surgical procedures are performed each year per 100,000 population in India. This is still lower than the need of around 5,000 procedures per 100,000 population to meet the growing patient population in the country.

On the other hand, Latin America, and the Middle East & Africa are anticipated to register a moderate CAGR during the forecast period due to scarcity of trained healthcare professionals, limited access to the health care system, and less per capita income resulting in lower involvement in elective surgeries. However, increasing number of surgical procedures being performed in countries such as Brazil, Mexico, U.A.E., and Saudi Arabia, combined with growing medical tourism in these countries, is poised to boost the demand for sutures during the forecast period. According to the International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ISAPS), around 905,000 cosmetic surgical procedures were performed in Brazil in 2019, with breast augmentation and liposuction leading the charts in terms of number of procedures performed.

KEY INDUSTRY PLAYERS

Presence of Technologically Advanced Products Enabled Medtronic and Other Players to Hold Dominant Market Shares

The global market is dominated by few established players such as B. Braun Melsungen AG, Ethicon US LLC, and Medtronic in 2020. A robust focus on the innovation of new technology in suturing devices to perform complex surgical procedures and the expansion of production capacity are some of their strategies to hold the current market positions. On the other hand, emerging players such as DemeTECH Corporation, Apollo Endosurgery, Inc., and others are focusing on developing new products in emerging and developed countries to gain market shares.

• For instance, in April 2021, Medtronic launched a research and development center in India to support 15 Medtronic operating units globally.

The other key market players operating in this market are Smith & Nephew, Coloplast A/S, Apollo Endosurgery, Inc., Boston Scientific Corporation, DemeTECH Corporation, TEPHA INC., Internacional Farmacéutica, and Kono Seisakusho Co., Ltd.

LIST OF KEY COMPANIES PROFILED:

• B. Braun Melsungen AG (Melsungen, Germany)


• Johnson & Johnson Services, Inc. (New Brunswick, U.S.)


• Smith & Nephew (London, U.K.)


• Medtronic (Dublin, Ireland)


• Coloplast A/S(Humlebaek, Denmark)


• Apollo Endosurgery, Inc. (Austin, U.S.)


• Boston Scientific Corporation (Marlborough, U.S.)


• DemeTECH Corporation (Miami, U.S.)


• TEPHA INC. (Lexington, U.S.)


• Internacional Farmacéutica (Cuauhtémoc, Mexico)


• Kono Seisakusho Co., Ltd. (Ichikawa City, Japan)

KEY INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENTS:

• December 2020 – Apollo Endosurgery, Inc. received the U.S. FDA approval of the X-Tack endoscopic HeliX tracking system with a view to diversify the use of this new technology.


• October 2020 - Origami Surgical announced that the U.S. FDA cleared its StitchKit PARK, a device that enables surgeons to preload the desired sutures for any surgical procedure.

REPORT COVERAGE

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The global surgical sutures market research report provides a detailed analysis of the market and focuses on key aspects such as leading companies, products type, form, applications, and end-users. Besides this, it offers insights into the market trends and highlights key industry developments. In addition to the aforementioned factors, the report encompasses several factors that have contributed to the growth opportunities of the advanced market over recent years.

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