Suture Material & Needles

Question 1

Which suture type is considered “prolonged absorbable?”

Answer 1

Polydiaxonone (PDS)

Question 2

What are the 5 types of non-absorbable suture?

Answer 2

Nylon, Silk, Polypropylene, Polymerized caprolactam, Stainless steel wire

Question 3

This absorbable, multifilament suture type is broken down via phagocytosis, is made from collagen & submucosa of sheep intestine and is rarely used in practice. What is it?

Answer 3

Chromic gut.

Question 4

This absorbable, multifilament, braided suture is coated with calcium sterate and is often used in dental surgery. What is it?

Answer 4

Polygalactin 910

Question 5

This absorbable, multifilament, braided, synthetic suture type is formed by filaments from glycolic acid. comes in coated & uncoated forms and is often used in dental surgery. What is it?

Answer 5

Polyglycolic acid (PGA)

Question 6

This absorbable, monofilament, synthetic suture type is polyester and has many uses including closure of enterotomies, cystotomies, body wall and fascia closure. What is it?

Answer 6

Glycomer 631 (BIOSYN)

Question 7

This absorbable, monofilament suture type is broken down via hydrolysis, consisting of a single synthetic strand and is used in the closure of non-infected bladders & SQ tissues. What is it?

Answer 7

Caprolactone (MONOSWIFT)

Question 8

This absorbable, monofilament suture type is composed of a copolymer of glycolide & epsilon caprolactone and is sued in closure of non-infect bladders and SQ tissues.

Answer 8

Poliglecaprone 25 (MONOCRYL)

Question 9

This absorbable, monofilament suture type is uncoated and is considered ‘prolonged absorbable.” What is it?

Answer 9

Polydiaxanone (PDS)

Question 10

This suture type is non-absorbable, multifilament, braided and often used in cardiovascular surgery. What is it?

Answer 10

Silk

Question 11

This non-absorbable, monofilament suture is a polyamide based suture and is often used for skin closure. What is it?

Answer 11

Nylon

Question 12

This non-absorbable, monofilament, synthetic suture is very resistant to degradation due to lack of hydrolyzable bonds and is used in tendon, ligament, fascial, & joint capsule closures. What is it?

Answer 12

Polypropylene

Question 13

This non-absorbable, multifilament, nylon based suture is ONLY used for skin sutures. What is it?

Answer 13

Polymerized caprolactam (Vetafil Bengen)

Question 14

What are the largest and smallest size sutures available?

Answer 14

Smallest = 12-0
Largest = 7

Question 15

T/F: Tensile strength of suture in higher in larger suture.

Answer 15

True.

Smaller suture size = less tensile strength

Question 16

T/F: Smooth suture is less traumatic to tissue, but has less knot security.

Answer 16

True.

Question 17

What is capillarity?

Answer 17

Process by which fluid & bacterial are wicked along multifilament fibers.

All braided sutures have capillarity

Question 18

T/F: Multifilament sutures should not be used in contaminated/infected wounds.

Answer 18

True.

Question 19

How strong should suture be?

Answer 19

Sutures should be as strong as the tissue in which they are being placed.

Question 20

What shape needle is most commonly used?

Answer 20

Half circle

Question 21

What shape needle is used for ophthalmic procedures?

Answer 21

1/4 circle

Question 22

What needle shape is the only shape to be manipulated with the fingers?

Answer 22

Straight

Question 23

This needle point has a sharp tip that pierces & spreads tissues w/o cutting. What is it?

Answer 23

Taperpoint

Question 24

This needle point has a cutting edge on convex surface, reducing risk of tissue cut out. What is it?

Answer 24

Reverse cutting

Question 25

This needle point is flat and is used for ophthalmic procedures. What is it?

Answer 25

Spatula point

Question 26

This needle point bluntly dissects through febrile tissues without cutting. What is it?

Answer 26

Blunt point.