A fluid-swellable fiber (1) in particular for the use as a surgical suture, the fiber comprising chitosan, the fibers (1) swelling ratio being less than 100%, and a fabric comprising the fiber. Moreover, a method of manufacturing from a chitosan- containing solution a fiber (1) comprising chitosan, wherein during manufacture, the solution is brought into contact with a coagulation medium containing at least one organic solvent, a method of removing a fiber from a living organism, wherein the fiber (1) is at least partly dissolved in a solvent applied from the outside, and a kit comprising a chitosan containing fiber (1) and a solvent for at least partly dissolving the fiber (1).
