5: Suture materials and surgical staples

Question 1

absorbable

Answer 1

undergoes degradation of tensile strength within 60 days

Question 2

Non-absorbable

Answer 2

remains in tissues until surgically removed

may still lose strength

Question 3

Monofilament characteristics

Answer 3

single strand
less flexible
have memory
smoother

Question 4

multifilament

Answer 4

braded single strands
can harbor bacteria in the interstices between strands
greater capillary potential
can be coated

Question 5

Capillary sutures

Answer 5

absorb and wick fluids

can transport bacteria

Question 6

Catgut

Answer 6

capillary
multifilament
natural
moderate to severe foreign body reaction

Question 7

50-100% loss of tensile strength

Answer 7

2-3 weeks

Question 8

Suture sizes

Answer 8

11-0 to 7

usually use between 4-0 and 1

Question 9

advantages of catgut

Answer 9

good handling
minimal capillarity
good knot security when dry

Question 10

Disadvantages of catgut

Answer 10

reactive
variable rate of loss of tensile strength
poor knot security when wet
sensitivity reactions
not autoclavable

Question 11

PGA (dexon) characteristics

Answer 11

braided
synthetic
absorption predictable

Question 12

PGA (dexon) advantages

Answer 12

slight inflammatory reaction
predictable
breakdown products are antibacterial
wide range of suture and needle sizes
well tolerated in contaminated wounds

Question 13

PGA (dexon) disadvantages

Answer 13

poor knot security
friction
alkaline environments increase degradation
rapid tensile strength loss

Question 14

Monocryl characteristics

Answer 14

synthetic
absorbable
monofilament
Strong rapidly loses strength

Question 15

Monocryl tensile strength

Answer 15

50% loss in 1-2 weeks

Question 16

Biosyn characteristics

Answer 16

synthetic
absorbable
monofilament
complete absorption is rapid

Question 17

When do you use monocryl

Answer 17

bladder
sub q
vessel ligation

Question 18

Biosyn tensile strength

Answer 18

50% loss in 2-3 weeks

Question 19

Vicryl characteristics

Answer 19

absorbable
synthetic
multifilament

Question 20

when do you use vicryl

Answer 20

mouth surgery
intradermal sutures
small vessel ligation

Question 21

Vicryl tensile strength

Answer 21

50% loss in 2 weeks

Question 22

PDS 2 name

Answer 22

polydioxanone

Question 23

PDS 2 (polydioxanone) characteristics

Answer 23

synthetic
absorbable
monofilament
most popular in vet med
default for most internal suturing

Question 24

PDS 2 (polydioxanone) tensile strength

Answer 24

50% los in 5-6 weeks

Question 25

Silk characteristics

Answer 25

natural
non-absorbable
multifilament

Question 26

When do you use silk

Answer 26

when you want local inflammatory response
PDA
portosystemic shunts
vessels for ligation

Question 27

Characteristics of braided synthetic non-absorbable sutures

Answer 27

Cheap
strong
tissue trauma
possibly not sterile

Question 28

Nylon characteristics

Answer 28

synthetic
non-absorbable
monofilament
used in skin

Question 29

Prolene characteristics

Answer 29

synthetic
non-absorbable
monofilament
strong
least likely to infect

Question 30

When do you use prolene

Answer 30

skin
tendon
ligament

Question 31

Characteristics of stainless steel

Answer 31

cheap
autoclavable
strong
cycle to failure

Question 32

What to use in skin suture

Answer 32

Monofilament nylon, polypylene, or steel

Question 33

what to use in subcutis

Answer 33

synthetic absorbable

Question 34

What to use in fascia

Answer 34

slow healing
Non-absorbable: nylon, polypropylene
Slow absorbing: polydioxanone, polyglyconate

Question 35

Muscle

Answer 35

synthetic absorbable or not

Question 36

Cardiac

Answer 36

nylon

polypropylene

Question 37

GI

Answer 37

Synthetic monofilament absorbable or non absorbable

Question 38

Vascular ligation

Answer 38

polyglactin 910
cat gut
silk

Question 39

vascular repair

Answer 39

polypropylene

Question 40

tendon

Answer 40

non-absorbable monofilament

Question 41

Nerve

Answer 41

nylon

polypropylene