Suturing

Question 1

the ideal suture has what characteristics?

Answer 1

1. sterile
2. all purpose material
3. causes minimal tissue injury or reaction
4. easy to handle
5. holds securely when knotted
6. high tensile strength
7. favorable absorption profile
8. resistant to infection

Question 2

10-O, 9-O, and 8-O sutures are used for what purposes?

Answer 2

1. most delicate surgeries
2. ophthalmic surgery
3. small damaged nerves in hand or cardiac repair

Question 3

7-O and 6-O sutures are used for what purposes?

Answer 3

1. repairing small vessels and arteries
2. delicate facial plastic surgery
3. vascular graft suturing

Question 4

5-O and 4-O sutures are used for what purposes?

Answer 4

1. larger vessel repair (AAA)

2. skin closure

Question 5

3-O and 2-O sutures are used for what purposes?

Answer 5

1. high tension skin closure
2. muscle layers
3. bowel repair general surgery

Question 6

O sutures are used for what purposes?

Answer 6

1. closing fascia layer in abdominal surgery
2. joint capsule in knee / hip
3. deep layers of the back

Question 7

which sutures are used for:

1. most delicate surgeries
2. ophthalmic surgery
3. small damaged nerves in hand or cardiac repair

Answer 7

10-O
9-O
8-O

Question 8

which sutures are used for:

1. repairing small vessels and arteries
2. delicate facial plastic surgery
3. vascular graft suturing

Answer 8

7-O

6-O

Question 9

which sutures are used for:

1. larger vessel repair (AAA)
2. skin closure

Answer 9

5-O

4-O

Question 10

which sutures are used for:

1. high tension skin closure
2. muscle layers
3. bowel repair general surgery

Answer 10

3-O

2-O

Question 11

which sutures are used for:

1. closing fascia layer in abdominal surgery
2. joint capsule in knee / hip
3. deep layers of the back

Answer 11

O

Question 12

1 sutures are used for what purposes?

Answer 12

1. hip surgery

2. deep muscles of the back

Question 13

2 sutures are used for what purposes?

Answer 13

repair of tendons or other high tension ortho structures

Question 14

3 sutures are used for what purposes?

Answer 14

surgeries that involve ribs or sternum

Question 15

which sutures are used for hip surgery and deep muscles of the back?

Answer 15

1 or O

Question 16

which sutures are used for repair of tendons or other high tension ortho structures?

Answer 16

2

Question 17

which sutures are used for surgeries that involve ribs or sternum?

Answer 17

3

Question 18

which suture sizes will NOT show up on x ray?

Answer 18

8-O or smaller

Question 19

which is more resistant to harboring microorganisms - monofilament or multifilament suture?

Answer 19

monofilament

Question 20

which exhibits less resistance to passage through tissue - monofilament or multifilament suture?

Answer 20

monofilament

Question 21

which handles and ties better - monofilament or multifilament suture?

Answer 21

multifilament

Question 22

which has greater capillarity - monofilament or multifilament suture? what does that mean?

Answer 22

multifilament

fluid / organisms can travel along it easier

Question 23

which has a greater risk of infection and dehiscence - monofilament or multifilament suture?

Answer 23

multifilament

Question 24

definition: tissue glide

Answer 24

capacity of suture thread to pass smoothly through tissue during placement

Question 25

which has better tissue glide - monofilament or multifilament suture?

Answer 25

monofilament

Question 26

the rule of halves is used for what sutures?

Answer 26

simple interrupted vertical mattress horizontal mattress inverted interrupted

Question 27

what are two benefits to the rule of halves?

Answer 27

1. reduces tension on wound | 2. eliminates dog ears

Question 28

what is the preferred stitch for lacerations? what suture size is used?

Answer 28

simple interrupted 3-O

Question 29

when are laceration sutures taken out?

Answer 29

5-7 days

Question 30

what is the preferred stitch for areas of high tension / inversion (knees / elbows / folds)? what size suture is used?

Answer 30

vertical mattress 3-O

Question 31

simple interrupted is used for what type of wound?

Answer 31

laceration

Question 32

vertical mattress is used for what type of wound?

Answer 32

high tension / inversion

Question 33

what type of stitch is used for knees / elbows / folds?

Answer 33

vertical mattress

Question 34

absorbable or non-absorbable: simple interrupted

Answer 34

non-absorbable

Question 35

absorbable or non-absorbable: vertical mattress

Answer 35

non-absorbable

Question 36

absorbable or non-absorbable: continuous running

Answer 36

absorbable

Question 37

what is the contraindication to a continuous running stitch?

Answer 37

hemostasis concerns

Question 38

continuous running stitch is ideal for what types of wounds?

Answer 38

deeper layers - fascia, peritoneal closures

Question 39

absorbable or non-absorbable: running subcuticular

Answer 39

absorbable

Question 40

a running subcuticular stitch is used for what type of wound?

Answer 40

low tension

Question 41

absorbable or non-absorbable: inverted interrupted

Answer 41

absorbable

Question 42

an inverted interrupted stitch is used for what type of wound?

Answer 42

closes dead space (knots are buried) short incisions (laparoscopic port sites, pediatrics)

Question 43

removal time: face

Answer 43

4-5 days

Question 44

removal time: scalp

Answer 44

7 days

Question 45

removal time: neck

Answer 45

5-8 days

Question 46

removal time: upper extremity

Answer 46

8-14 days

Question 47

removal time: trunk

Answer 47

7-10 days

Question 48

removal time: extensor surface of hands

Answer 48

14 days

Question 49

removal time: lower extremity

Answer 49

14-28 days

Question 50

number of throws in a surgeon's knot

Answer 50

3

Question 51

number of throws in a complete knot

Answer 51

2