In order to further study the barbed suture and promote the development of better products, the research status of barbed sutures at home and abroad was reviewed. This paper traces the development history of the barbed sutures and summarises the performance requirements in clinicians' practice based on the art-of-the-state. Detailed analyses were carried out on the materials used for the barbed sutures, the geometry and arrangement of the barb, the structure of the blocked element, and related new research progress for the sutures. Four types of preparation methods for the barbed sutures are reviewed, including mechanical cutting, laser cutting, mold injection, and external fixed barbs. The application and clinical results of the barbed sutures in plastic surgery, orthopedics, urology, gastroenterology, obstetrics-gynecology and other surgical operations are summarized. Clinical complications of barbed sutures with excellent properties are also examined, the development directions of the barbed sutures in materials, preparation and properties are pointed out for future work.