Suture material Flashcards
Which material has a wicking action?
Multifilament
What properties should good suture material have?
- Good tensile strength
- Low memory
- Low friction
- Non irritant/ inert
How is absorpable suture material degraded?
- Either phagocytosis or hydrolysis (less reactive)
- Synthetic tend to be hydrolysis and natural by phagocytosis
What is the main downside of multifilament material?
-More likely to harbour bacteria due to wicking action
What are the 3 parts of the needle?
1: point
2: body
3: eye
What is meant by a reverse cutting needle?
Sharp point of needle is on inner surface of the radius
What is the benefit of swaged on needles?
- Single use so they don’t blunt
- Less tissue trauma
What is ductility?
Ability of the needle to break without breaking
What do you match the curve of the needle with?
The depth of the wound
Describe the properties of PDS
- Inert/ absorpable
- Slow breakdown, can support the wound for 50-60 days
How can you help support wound healing and prevent infection?
- Minimise tissue trauma
- Eliminate dead space
- Reduce amount of suture material present in wound
- Choose inert material
What is plasticity?
The suture material will change form (high memory and stretch will change to straighter)
What is elasticity?
Ability of the material to stretch
List the natural suture materials
- Catgut
- Silk
- Surgical steel
Describe the properties of monofilament materials
- Smooth surface so less tissue drag
- Doesn’t support bacterial growth
- No wicking action
- High memory
- Stiff ends can cause irritation if you bury the knot
Describe the properties of multifilament materials
- Multifilaments mean more tissue drag/ trauma
- Wicking action supports bacterial growth
- Soft/ pliable and well tolerated by patients
What is USP based on?
Tensile strength
metric is based on diameter
How does the connell suture pattern differ from the cushing?
The needle goes full thickness through the wound edge to make the edges invert. In a cushing the needle doesn’t go through fully (doesn’t enter the lumen)
What are the main causes of suture dehiscence?
- Knot slipping
- Knot breakage
- Tissue laceration
What are the benefits of doing a surgeon’s knot over a square knot?
First throw is a double throw which provides more friction so reducing loosening.
Which wounds are good for closing with a cruciate mattress?
- Skin
- Wounds under tension
Which wounds can you close well with a simply continuous?
- Viscera
- Fascia
- Muscle
What is the main benefit of intradermal stitches?
-Pet can’t nibble/ interfere with the sutures
