sutures

Question 1

what kind of instrument is this?
1. forceps
2. a mayo-hegar needle holder
3. an olsen-hegar needle holder
4. a mathieu needle holder

Answer 1

2. a mayo-hegar needle holder

Question 2

what kind of instrument is this?
1. forceps
2. a mayo-hegar needle holder
3. an olsen-hegar needle holder
4. a mathieu needle holder

Answer 2

3. an olsen-hegar needle holder - these are similar to the mayo-hegar but with scissors incorperated

Question 3

what kind of instrument is this?
1. forceps
2. a mayo-hegar needle holder
3. an olsen-hegar needle holder
4. a mathieu needle holder

Answer 3

4. a mathieu needle holder - more commonly used for large animal work

Question 4

what are these scissors used for?

Answer 4

they’re bandage scissors - used to cut bandaging material/remove bandages from patients (these are not used in surgery)

Question 5

what are these scissors used for?

Answer 5

these are mayo scissors - can be used to cut suture. often used to cut or dissect heavier tissue (eg fascia)

Question 6

what are these scissors called?

Answer 6

sharp-blunt and sharp-sharp respectively. both okay for cutting suture

Question 7

what are these scissors for?

Answer 7

metzenbaum scissors - do NOT use for cutting suture, used for fine tissue dissection.

Question 8

what is this used for?

Answer 8

these are rat tooth forceps - commonly used to grasp fascia or skin when suturing

Question 9

what is this used for?

Answer 9

these are dressing forceps - little ridges at the end instead of rat’s teeth. can also be used when suturing to grasp tissue

Question 10

is this correct forcep holding?

Answer 10

nope - hold it like a pen, not in a tweezer grip. there’s not enough fine motor control like that

Question 11

is this correct needle holder holding?

Answer 11

yes - the holes are for the thumb and fourth finger

Question 12

what kind of knot is this?

Answer 12

a square knot (left over right, then right over left)

Question 13

what kind of knot is this?

Answer 13

a surgeon’s knot - like a square, but with a double wrapped first throw.

Question 14

what kind of knot is this?

Answer 14

a granny knot - no good

Question 15

is left or right the correct positioning for needle holders?

Answer 15

left - inside the two suture ends. this makes a square not, right makes a granny knot

Question 16

when is this style of suturing used?

Answer 16

simple interrupted suturing - closing skin

Question 17

when is this style of suturing used?

Answer 17

simple continuous sutures - often used internally, for muscle and subcutaneous layers

Question 18

Simple interrupted skin suture knots should have?
a. 2 throws
b. 4 throws
c. 6 throws
d. 7 throws

Answer 18

b. 4 throws

Question 19

Simple continuous suture knots should have?
a. 4 throws at the start and 6 throws at the end
b. 6 throws at the start and 7 throws at the end
c. 5 throws at each end
d. 2 square knots at each end

Answer 19

b. 6 throws at the start and 7 throws at the end

Question 20

When you are finished using suture needles in the CSL they should be placed?
a. On the benchtop where you are working
b. In the sharps if they are blunt/bent and or in a foam block to be re-used
c. In the sharps regardless of needle type
d. In the rubbish bin
e. In the biohazard bin

Answer 20

b. In the sharps if they are blunt/bent and or in a foam block to be re-used

Question 21

When using an eyed suture needle, suture may be tied onto the needle to hold it in place?
1. Never
2. Only when doing large animal work
3. When it has fallen off the needle 4 times and you are getting frustrated
4. Only if you are working with thin suture

Answer 21

1. Never - you can thread it through the eye twice to help lock it in place, but knots are too bulky and tear to much tissue when dragged through

Question 22

Which one of the following statements is correct regarding skin suturing?
1. Suture towards your forceps, with the needle holders held in your non-dominant hand
2. Suture away from your forceps, with the needle holders held in your dominant hand
3. Suture towards your forceps, with the needle holders held in your dominant hand
4. Suture away from your forceps, with the needle holders held in your non-dominant hand

Answer 22

3. Suture towards your forceps, with the needle holders held in your dominant hand

Question 23

When performing skin sutures in a companion animal patient, the suture tightness should be?
1. Loose enough to fit the tip of your needle holders under the suture
2. Loose enough to fit the tip of your finger under
3. Tight, so it clearly bites into the tissue
4. Tight, but not biting into the tissue

Answer 23

1. Loose enough to fit the tip of your needle holders under the suture - skin tight in equine

Question 24

When holding your needle holders, you should insert your thumb and which finger into the rings of the instrument?
(count the thumb as finger #1)
a. 2nd finger
b. 4rd finger
c. 4th finger
d. 5th finger (pinky)
e. Whichever fingers is most comfortable to you

Answer 24

b. 4rd finger