An antimicrobial suture assembly comprising a containment compartment comprising one or more surfaces having an antimicrobial agent disposed thereon, said antimicrobial agent being selected from the group consisting of halogenated hydroxyl ethers, acyloxydiphenyl ethers, and combinations thereof, in an amount sufficient to substantially inhibit bacterial colonization on said containment compartment and a suture positioned within the containment compartment, the suture comprising one or more surfaces having an antimicrobial agent disposed thereon, said antimicrobial agent being selected from the group consisting of halogenated hydroxyl ethers, acyloxydiphenyl ethers, and combinations thereof, in an amount sufficient to substantially inhibit bacterial colonization on the suture a method for making the antimicrobial suture assembly and a braided suture having antimicrobial properties comprising an elongate braided structure formed from a plurality of polymeric filaments, said filaments being formed from a polymeric material that is absorbable under physiological conditions, and a coating material disposed on said elongate braided structure, said coating comprising a film forming absorbable polymer, a substantially water-insoluble salt of a fatty acid and an effective amount of an antimicrobial agent selected from the group consisting of halogenated hydroxyl ethers, halogen-o-hydroxy-Biphenyl ethers, acyloxydiphenyl ethers and combinations thereof, said effective amount being sufficient to substantially inhibit microbial growth on or adjacent said suture when said suture is implanted in a patients body.
