The aim of the study was to examine the feasibility of using plasma surface modification technology to alter the hydrolytic degradation rate of commercial synthetic absorbable sutures. Size 2-0 Dexon, Vicryl, PDSII, and Maxon sutures were tested. They were treated by two different surface modification techniques: parylene deposition and plasma gases (Methane, trimethylsilane, and tetrafluoroethene). The thickness of surface treatment ranged from 200 to 1000 A. The treated sutures were subject to in vitro hydrolytic degradation in phosphate buffer of pH = 7.4 at 37 degrees C for up to 120 days. The tensile breaking strength, weight loss, surface wettability, bending stiffness, and surface morphology were evaluated. The results indicated that the concept of plasma surface treatment for altering the hydrolytic degradation of synthetic absorbable sutures was feasible, and the level of improvement depended on the type of sutures, the treatment conditions, and the duration of hydrolysis. Vicryl and PDSII sutures showed overall the best improvement in tensile strength retention among the four commercial sutures. Dexon and Maxon sutures, however, exhibited only marginal improvement. The observed improvement in tensile strength retention appeared to be related to the increasing hydrophobicity of the sutures. The surface treatments did not adversely affect the bending stiffness of the sutures and no visible surface morphological changes were observed. Refinements and optimization of the surface treatment conditions are needed for achieving the maximum advantage of the proposed concept, particularly shielding the harmful effect of uv during plasma treatment.