What is a consequence of using a suture material that is very reactive?

Using a suture material that is very reactive can lead to prolonged healing time. When the body reacts to the suture material, it can trigger an inflammatory response. This inflammation can slow down the overall healing process because the body is using its resources to address the reaction rather than focus solely on the repair of the surgical site.

In more reactive materials, the surrounding tissue may become more inflamed, leading to increased formation of scar tissue and possibly leading to complications such as dehiscence or increased pain at the site, all of which can contribute to extended recovery periods.

Conversely, the other options provided do not correlate directly with the use of highly reactive suture materials. For example, the use of reactive suture is not associated with a decreased risk of infection; in fact, the inflammatory process might increase susceptibility. Similarly, highly reactive sutures do not improve aesthetic outcomes as they could lead to worse scarring, and rather than reduce tissue strength, they can compromise it due to the inflammatory response and delayed healing that affect the structural integrity of the tissue.