A fluid-swellable fiber in particular for the use as a surgical suture, the fiber comprising chitosan, the fiber's swelling ratio being less than 100%, and a fabric comprising the fiber. Moreover, a method of manufacturing from a chitosan-containing solution a fiber 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 is at least partly dissolved in a solvent applied from the outside, and a kit comprising a chitosan containing fiber and a solvent for at least partly dissolving the fiber.