Suture Sheet: Key Facts, PRISM

Question 1

how are sutures classified?

Answer 1

according to size (They can range from 0-0 (very thick) to 9-0 (extremely thin).

Question 2

capsule closure: suture

Answer 2

2-0 or 3-0 Vicryl

Question 3

subcutaneous closure: suture

Answer 3

3-0 or 4-0 Vicryl

Question 4

skin: suture

Answer 4

4-0 Nylon or Prolene

Question 5

when are sutures removed? why?

Answer 5

10-14 days;

because at this point the tensile strength of the wound equals the tensile strength of the suture.

Question 6

suture (non-absorb/absorb) for DEEP CLOSURE

Answer 6

absorbable

Question 7

what does it mean to be CHROMIC

Answer 7

*treated with CHROMIC SALTS –> to inc strength and decrease hydrolysis;
natural, absorbable suture material like pig collaen, sheep intestine, catgut

Question 8

digestion: absorbable, NATURAL suture materials

Answer 8

20 days, digested by LYSOSOMAL ENZYMES

Question 9

Vicryl tensile strength at 14 days

Answer 9

65% tensile strength

Question 10

digestion: VICRYL

Answer 10

Hydrolyzed (to CO2 and H20) in 80-120 days

Question 11

digestion: RAPID vicryl

Answer 11

Hydrolyzed in 42 days; loses strength in 7-10 days

Question 12

VICRYL plus: describe unique feature

Answer 12

Coated with broad spectrum antibiotic Triclosan (also found in toothpaste)

Question 13

digestion: DEXON

Answer 13

Hydrolyzed in 100-200 days

Question 14

digestion: PDS

Answer 14

Hydrolyzed in 90 days

Question 15

PDS tensile strength at 14 days

Answer 15

70% tensile strength

Question 16

digestion: MAXON

Answer 16

Hydrolyzed in 180 days; Longest lasting absorbable (“Max”-imum)

Question 17

longest lasting absorbable material

Answer 17

MAXON (polyglyconate)

Question 18

Monocril tensile strength at 14 days

Answer 18

20-30% tensile strength

Question 19

digestion: MONOCRIL

Answer 19

Hydrolyzed in 90-120 days

Question 20

suture type for superficial closure/skin sutures

Answer 20

non-absorbable

Question 21

digestion: SILK

Answer 21

actually very slowly absorbed (hydrolyzed in 1 year)

Question 22

Silk tensile strength

Answer 22

very low tensile strength

Question 23

weakest suture material

Answer 23

COTTON / LINEN

Question 24

highest knot slippage rate

Answer 24

NYLON; (Ethilon, Surgilon)

monofilaments are at a higher risk of knot slippage

Question 25

suture used in contaminated/infected wound

Answer 25

Polypropylene (Prolene, Surgilene;

Nonabsorbable, synthetic, monofilaments best in this situation)

Question 26

least reactive suture

Answer 26

POLYPROPYLENE

Question 27

strong suture used for tendon repair

Answer 27

Polyester (Ethibond, Dacron)

Question 28

what can be used to coat polyester?

Answer 28

silicone

Question 29

strongest suture with longest absorption rate

Answer 29

Stainless Steel

Question 30

braided stainless steel is called

Answer 30

Flexon

Question 31

suture used for bone fixation and tendon repair

Answer 31

Stainless Steel, but may corrode bone at stress points

Question 32

which heel sx recon fixation used FiberWire?

Answer 32

Achilles SutureBridge for closure after removing retrocalcaneal exostosis and calcification w/in tendon achilles