Plain catgut sutures were coated with different polyester-based polyurethanes. The sutures were implanted subcutaneously in rats and tested for tensile strength loss and tissue reactions. A polyurethane coating based on an oxalic acid polyester was hydrolysed too fast to protect the catgut against proteolysis. However, a 2-0 plain catgut having a 50 micron polyurethane coating based on glutaric acid polyester maintained its original tensile strength for 8 days. The tensile strength then decreased as for plain catgut. Histological examination of the surrounding tissues showed that the strong inflammatory reaction observed in the first three days with non-coated catguts is decreased, but occurs again later, although to a lesser extent.