L05: Suture Materials (Kim)

Question 1

as tissue strength increases, suture strength ____

Answer 1

decreases

Question 2

ideal suture material

Answer 2

bioinert
easily sterilizable without consequences
handles well and produces secure knots
cheap
*PDS comes closest*

Question 3

suture classifications

Answer 3

absorbable/non-absorbable
multifilament/monofilament
natural/synthetic
coated/impregnated

Question 4

USP numeric scale range for suture size

Answer 4

11-0 to 7

Question 5

how is suture absorbed?

Answer 5

via enzymatic degradation or hydrolysis

-absorption rates depend on environment (ie. pH)

Question 6

nonabsorbable suture takes about how long to lose significant tensile strength?

Answer 6

> 60 days

Question 7

chars. of multifilament suture

Answer 7

• flexible, handles well
• has capillary action
• may induce nidus (seeds bacteria)
• increased tissue drag (although usually coated to minimize this)
• MAY have superior knot security

Question 8

chars. of monofilament suture

Answer 8

• stiff, memory
• no capillary action
• low tissue drag
• MAY have poorer knot security
• more easily damaged than multifilament suture?

Question 9

2 examples of natural suture material

Answer 9

silk
catgut
-incite larger inflammatory tissue reaction and have more variable absorption rates compared to synthetic sutures

Question 10

chromate salts

Answer 10

used to coat cat gut to decrease antigenicity and increase absorption rate

Question 11

rank the following in how fast they return to 100% strength after being incised and sutured: bladder, GI tissue, linea alba, tendon/ligament

Answer 11

Bladder > GI tissue > linea alba > tendon/ligament

Question 12

Name 7 absorbable suture types

Answer 12

Cat gut
Monocryl
Biosyn
Vicryl
Dexon
PDS II
Maxon

First 5 lose 50% tensile strength within 2-3 weeks, PDS II and Maxon lose 50% tensile strength within 5-6 weeks

Question 13

see white board photos for rest of lecture material

Answer 13

:)