Basic Bitch Suture Materials

Question 1

What should be considered when selecting a suture material?

Answer 1

1. Biological interaction
2. Tissue type and location
3. The presence of infection
4. Drainage
5. Economic factors (cost/shelf life/variability)

Question 2

What characteristics should be sought after when choosing an appropriate suture material?

Answer 2

1. Ease of use
2. Good retention of tensile strength
3. Minimal tissue reaction
4. Absorbable
5. Avoidance of aiding bacterial growth

Question 3

3 advantages of sutures

Answer 3

• Good wound closure
• Some are absorbable
• Wide range available that can be used everywhere on the body

Question 4

3 disadvantages of sutures

Answer 4

• Some need to be removed
• Can be expensive
• Technique involved

Question 5

List 4 types of suture material

Answer 5

• Absorbable
• Non-absorbable
• Natural
• Synthetic
• Monofilament
• Multifilament

Question 6

Give an example of absorbable suture material

Answer 6

• vicryl
• PDS
• catgut

Question 7

Give an example of non-absorbable suture material

Answer 7

-supramid

Question 8

What can absorbable sutures be used for?

Answer 8

• Can be used when closing internal tissue layers/organs (e.g. sub-cut/muscle/eyes)
• Maintain tensile strength for up to 60 days

Question 9

What can non-absorbable sutures be used for?

Answer 9

• Used when prolonged mechanical support is required
• Can be used on skin/muscle/blood vessels/nerves
• Maintain their strength for longer than 60 days
• Material is less likely to cause tissue reaction

Question 10

Name 4 suture techniques that can be used for skin/muscle.

Answer 10

• Simple interrupted
• Simple continuous
• Ford interlocking
• Cruciate mattress

Question 11

Name 4 suture techniques that can be used for organ closure.

Answer 11

• Simple interrupted
• Purse string
• Parker-Kerr