1. Sutures

Question 1

Generic name for poliglecaprone

Answer 1

Monocryl

Question 2

how long does non-absorbable sutures maintain tensile strength for?

Answer 2

longer than 60 days

Question 3

name the natural non-absorbable suture types.

Answer 3

silk
cotton, linen
nylon

Question 4

describe the tensile strength and tissue reactivity of silk.

Answer 4

low tensile strength (slowly absorbable)

highly tissue reactive

Question 5

describe the tensile strength and reactivity of nylon.

Answer 5

high tensile strength

low tissue reactivity

Question 6

which suture type may be used in contaminated wounds?

Answer 6

nylon (non-absorbable)

polypropylene

Question 7

what is stainless steel suture used for?

Answer 7

• bone fixation
• tendon repair (not utilized all that much for this indication anymore)
• retention sutures

Question 8

what is a swage?

Answer 8

the back of the needle where the suture material attaches

Question 9

what is the most common suture attachment?

Answer 9

swaged (eyeless) - this is when the suture is directly attached into needle to decrease tissue damage

Question 10

what is the most typical body length of a needle?

Answer 10

3/8

Question 11

which type of point should you used for a paratenon, tendon sheath, or sub-Q?

Answer 11

tapered

Question 12

What are the 2 configurations of suture material? Which is better suited for contaminated wounds?

Answer 12

1. monofilament- better suited for contaminated wounds

2. braided

Question 13

what is teh coefficient of friction of monofilament suture compared to braided?

Answer 13

monofilament has a low coefficient of friction compared to braided suture which has a high coefficient of friction
(braided though has greater strength and capillarity)

Question 14

what is capillarity?

Answer 14

(characteristic of braided sutures)

• fluid and bacteria may penetrate into interstices of braided suture
• PMNs, and macrophages are too large to reach interstices

Question 15

what is the purpose of coating a suture?

Answer 15

• helps decrease capillarity
• improves handling
• reduces drag

Question 16

What is Class 1 non-absorbable surgical suture?

Answer 16

suture composed of silk or synthetic fibers, monofilament or braided

Question 17

What is Class 2 non-absorbable surgical suture?

Answer 17

suture composed of natural or synthetic fibers but consisting of a coating

Question 18

What is a class 3 non-absorbable surgical suture?

Answer 18

suture composed of monofilament or multifilament metal wire

Question 19

What is the trade name for polygloycolic acid?

Answer 19

Dexon- S

Question 20

What is the trade name for polyglycolic acid (with coating)?

Answer 20

Dexon-plus

Question 21

What is the trade name for polyglactin 910

Answer 21

vicryl

Question 22

What is the trade name for a polymer of polydiaxonone?

Answer 22

PDS

Question 23

what is the trade name for polyglyconate?

Answer 23

maxon

Question 24

what is the most common brand for nylon?

Answer 24

ethilon

Question 25

what is the most common brand for polypropylene?

Answer 25

prolene

Question 26

what is the most common brand for polybutester?

Answer 26

novafil

Question 27

what is teh most common brand for polyester?

Answer 27

mersilene | ethibond

Question 28

which synthetic absorbable sutures are monofilament (and which are multifilament, braided)?

Answer 28

PDS, Maxon, and Monocryl- are monofilament | Dexon and vicryl are multifilament, braided

Question 29

state in increasing order the relative tensile strengths of non-absorbable sutures.

Answer 29

``` naturals (silk, linen, cotton)- least tensile strength polypropylene braided nylon polybutester monofilament nylon uncoated, braided polyester coated, braided polyester stainless steel - greatest tensile strength ```

Question 30

state in increasing order the relative tissue reactivity of non-abosrbable sutures.

Answer 30

``` monofilament polypropylene- least reactive monofilament polybutester monofilament nylon stainless steel wire polybutilate-coated polyester teflon/silicon-coated polyester uncoated braided polyester natural fiber materials- greatest reactivity ```

Question 31

how are natural , absorbable sutures degraded? compare this to how synthetic, absorbable sutures are degraded.

Answer 31

nautral- degraded by lysosomes | synthetic- degraded by hydrolysis

Question 32

which suture type is used when strong apposition of a tissue is needed (i.e. repairing tendon)?

Answer 32

polyester