Suturing Flashcards
How does a suture affect the tissue edge if applied with minimal tension?
Apposes tissue edges
Place near each other
What happens to the skin when a suture is applied with excessive tension?
Tissue edges evert
Turn inside out
Describe the difference between interrupted and continuous suture patterns in terms of knots
Interrupted - 2 free ends of suture material tie knot
Continuous - 1 free end of suture material ties knot. Finishing knot generated from previous loop
Give an example of interrupted suture pattern
Gambee
Simple interrupted
What are examples of tension relieving stitches? Interrupted and continuous?
Interrupted - cruciate mattress, horizontal mattress, vertical mattress
Continuous - continuous horizontal mattress
Give an example of an inverting suture?
Lembert
Halstead
Why is closure of abdomen so important?
Most common surgery
When stood up, weight of ab organs rest on the ventral midline (where incised)
Describe the abdominal wall layers and there purpose in suturing
Skin - minimise scarring
Subcut - close dead space and reduce tension
Muscular - strength holding layer for contents
What is used for the muscle layer?
Simple continuous mainly
Can use interrupted, knots facing out, prevent damaging organs
What suture is used in the subcutaneous?
Simple continuous
Buried knot - prevent ends poking through the skin
What suture is used to close the skin layer and why?
Cruciate mattress - less sutures need removing compared to simple continuous
Why must skin stitches be loose?
Cosmetic - allow tissue swelling.
