Suturing

Question 0

Features of absorbable sutures

Answer 0

Grad lose tensile strength (rate dependent on material)
Strength lost, then suture bulk
Removed by phagocytosis or hydrolysis

Question 1

List ideal suture characteristics (8)

Answer 1

Good handling
Low tissue reactivity
No/low capillarity
Doesn't support bacterial growth
Knots well
Absorbs well after tissue has healed
Affordable
Easy to sterilize

Question 2

Features of monofilament sutures

Answer 2

Single strand (so no internal space)
Springy (so hard to tie)
Glides smoothly

Question 3

Features of multifilament sutures

Answer 3

Woven (so internal space)
Easy to tie (more friction)
Capillarity

Question 4

‘Capillarity’ definition

Answer 4

Draws in water and fluid

Question 5

Features of pseudofilaments

Answer 5

Ensheathed multifilaments
Handles well, pulls better
Casing thin- can scratch off when threading

Question 6

List the methods of sizing suture material

Answer 6

Metric system
Imperial system
Brown and sharpe wire gauge (orthopaedic)

Question 7

Describe the metric system of sizing suture material

Answer 7

1 metric = 0.1mm

The larger the no, the larger the suture

Question 8

List the principles of good suturing

Answer 8

Avoid multifilament in contaminated wounds (drag bacteria in via capillarity)
Leave minimum sutures behind
Cont. patterns (min. no of knots)
Balance smallest diameter but strongest material