Suturing Flashcards
What does tensile strength related to?
Suture size
Weight required to break a suture
What does knot strength mean?
Force required for a knot to slip
Configuration of Sutures
Monofilament
Braided multifilament
Benefit of a Monofilament
Less risk of infection
Benefit of Braided Multifilament
Easier to handle & tie
Define Elasticity
Degree suture stretches & returns to normal length
Memory or Suture Stiffness
High memory: suture stiff, difficult handling, unties
Tissue Reactivity with Sutures
Inflammatory response to suture
Peaks within 2-7 days
Define an Absorbable Suture
Suture breaks down over time in the body
Break Down of Suture Depends on
Type
Size: 0 takes longer than 8-0
Locationi
Types of Absorbable Suture
Catgut Chromic Vicryl Monocryl PDS
Define Non-Absorbable Sutures
Their resistance to degradation by living tissue
Types of Non-Absorbable Sutures
Silk Nylon Ethibond Prolene Surgical steel
What are silk sutures for?
Tying off vessels
What are nylon sutures for?
Sew in drains
What are ethibond sutures for?
Retention sutures to help support the closure
What are prolene sutures for?
Vessels
What are surgical steel sutures for?
Closing up a sternotomy
Chromic Absorption & Tensil Strength
A: 70 days
T: 10-14 days
Vicryl Absorption & Tensil Strength
A: 60-90 days
T: 3-4 weeks
Monocryl Absorption & Tensil Strength
A: 91-119 days
T: 21 days
PDS Absorption & Tensil Strength
A: 182-238 days
T: 5-6 weeks
Scalp Suture Removal
10 days
Face, Ear, Eyebrow, Nose, or Lip Suture Removal
5 days
Eyelid Suture Removal
3 days
Chest & Abdomen Suture Removal
8-10 days
Back Suture Removal in Adults & Children
A: 12-14 days
C: 10-12 days
Extremity Suture Removal in Adults & Children
A: 10-14 days
C: 8-10 days
Hand Suture Removal
10-14 days
Foot & Sole Suture Removal in Adults & Children
A: 12-14 days
C: 8-10 days
Penis Suture Removal
8-10 days
Any Condition Delaying Wound Healing Suture Removal
14-21 days
Classification for Needles
Taper Cutting Reverse cutting Trocar point or tapercut Blunt point Side cutting or spatula points
Basic Instrumentation for Suturing
Forceps
Needle holder
Scissors
Other Closure Devices
Staples
Skin adhesives
Advantages of Adhesive vs. Sutures
Maximum bonding strength at 2:30 Equivalent in strength to healed tissued at 7 days Applied using only topical anesthetic Faster repair time Better acceptance by patients Water-resistant covering Does not require removal of sutures
Contraindications of Skin Adhesives
Jagged or stellate lacerations
Bites, punctures, or crush wounds
Contaminated wounds
Mucosal surfaces
Axillae & perineum (high moisture areas)
Hands, feet, & joints (unless kept dry & immobilized)
