Suturing

Question 1

What do the following have in common: nylon, stainless steel, polypropylene, monofilament, and braided sutures?

Answer 1

types of nonabsorbable sutures

Question 2

Describe the sizing of sutures in relation to their diameters

Answer 2

the larger the number, the smaller the diameter

Question 3

Size suture that is used on foot, trunk, extremities

Answer 3

4-0

Question 4

Size suture that is used on face, ear, nose

Answer 4

6-0

Question 5

Type of cutting needle used for tough tissue like ligaments

Answer 5

reverse cutting needle

Question 6

Type of needle used for delicate tissue such as peritoneum

Answer 6

taper needle

Question 7

What angle should you enter the skin for suturing?

Answer 7

90 degrees

Question 8

The easiest, most common, suture

Answer 8

interrupted sutures

Question 9

Good for deep wounds. Closes wound at 2 levels eliminating dead space. Far-far-near-near

Answer 9

vertical mattress suture

Question 10

Good for curve or flap. Stitch should look like a box. Tension is on knot side. use when one side of wound is relatively avascular. start & end on vascular side

Answer 10

horizontal mattress suture

Question 11

Can be done quickly. Cannot be partially removed. May leave “RR tracks”

Answer 11

running stitch

Question 12

Use absorbable suture. Anchor with subQ knots at each end. Even bites length of wound

Answer 12

subcuticular closure

Question 13

How do you remove sutures?

Answer 13

prep w/iodine, pull minimal length thru wound.

Question 14

Should be avoided when removing sutures

Answer 14

cutting off knot or pulling it through wound

Question 15

How do you remove a suture that is overgrown?

Answer 15

start at knot and use pick-ups to tease out the suture or cut with #11 scalpel blade