Wholly or mainly absorbed

Absorbable implants are placed in a higher class under MDR rule 8, so the question matters for classification. Substances that leave the body unchanged, such as insufflation gases, do not count as absorbed.

Wholly or mainly absorbed: The term ‘absorption’ in the context of implantable devices refers to the degradation of a material within the body and the metabolic elimination of the resulting degradation products from the body. It does not apply to those substances that are excreted without modification from the body, e.g. insufflation gases for the abdominal cavity or laparoscopic and endoscopic procedures.

MDCG 2021-24 Rev.1, Section 3.1, Basic terms and definitions (Other terms)