HISTORY
The origins of surgery can be traced back many centuries. Through the ages, practitioners have used a wide range of materials and techniques for closing tissue……..
1650 BC – 2000’s AD
In the tenth century BC, the ant was held over the wound until it seized the wound edges in its
jaws. It was then decapitated and the ant's death grip kept the wound closed.
AntsAnts
Thorns
The thorn, used by African tribes to close tissue, was passed through the skin on either side of the wound.
A strip of vegetable fibre was then wound around the edge in a figure eight.
Sterilised Catgut
The tough membrane of sheep intestine was provided to the surgeon pre-sterilised and required threading
through the eye of the needle before use.
Swaged On Needles
Post World War II brought the swaged-on needle. The thread fits into the hollow end of the needle, allowing it to pass through tissue
without the double loop of thread that exists with a conventional needle, reducing tissue trauma.
Classification of Sutures
Monofilament Multifilament
Synthetic Biological
Absorbable Non - Absorbable
The Ideal Suture
• Minimal tissue reaction
• Smoothness - minimum tissue drag
• Low Capillarity
• Max tensile strength
• Ease of handling - Minimum memory
• Knot security
• Cost effectiveness
•BIOLOGICAL
•MERSILK* SutureMERSILK* Suture •MERSILENE* SutureMERSILENE* Suture
•ETHIBOND* SutureETHIBOND* Suture
•PROLENE* SuturePROLENE* Suture
•PRONOVA* SuturePRONOVA* Suture
•ETHILON* SutureETHILON* Suture
•NUROLON* SutureNUROLON* Suture
•Stainless Steel WireStainless Steel Wire
•Coated VICRYL* SutureCoated VICRYL* Suture
•PDS*II SuturePDS*II Suture
•VICRYL*VICRYL* rapide rapide SutureSuture
•Monofilament version VICRYL* Suture available for use in ophthalmic surgery•MERSILENE* Suture - trochanter suture is braided
•BIOLOGICAL •SYNTHETIC
•ABSORBABLEABSORBABLE •NON-ABSORBABLENON-ABSORBABLE
•SYNTHETIC
Sutures
•MONOCRYL* SutureMONOCRYL* Suture
•Coated VICRYL* Coated VICRYL* Plus Plus SutureSuture
Multifilament (braided)Multifilament (braided)
Suture ClassificationSuture Classification
MonofilamentMonofilament
Absorbable Sutures
PLAIN GUT:
Derived from the small intestine of healthy sheep.
Loses 50% of tensile strength by 5-7 days.
Used on mucosal surfaces.
CHROMIC GUT:
Treated with chromic acid to delay tissue absorption time.
50% tensile strength by 10-14 days.
Used in episiotomy repairs.
•Polyglycolic acid (Dexon®)
• Braided• Low-memory• 50% tensile strength = 25 days• Sites = subcutaneous closure
skin
Polydioxanone (PDS®)
• Monofilament
• 50% tensile strength = 30+ days
• Sites = need for prolonged strength,
Polyglycan 910 (Vicryl®)
• Braided, synthetic polymer
• 50% tensile strength for 30 days
• Used: subcutaneous
Non-absorbable Sutures
Polypropylene (Prolene®): • stronger than nylon and has better
overall wound security.
silk• braided
• Before the advent of synthetic fibers, silk was the mainstay of wound closure.
• workable and has excellent knot security.
Disadvantages:
• high reactivity
• infection
MonofilamentAdvantages
• Smooth surface
• Less tissue trauma
• No bacterial harbours
• No capillarity
Disadvantages
• Handling & knotting
• Ends/knot burial
• Stretch
MultifilamentAdvantages
• Strength
• Soft & pliable
• Good handling
• Good knotting
Disadvantages
• Bacterial harbours
• Capillary action
• Tissue trauma
SyntheticAdvantages
Non-Absorbables are inert
• Absorbables resemble natural substances
• Absorption by hydrolysis
• Predictable absorption
• Strength
Disadvantages
• Monofilament handling
Characteristics of Non-Absorbable Sutures
• Permanent• Only used when long term support is required• Removed when used for skin • Tissue reaction generally low (except silk)• True non-absorbable sutures include polyester,
polyethylene, polypropylene and steel
AbsorbableAdvantages
• Broken down by body
• No foreign body left
Disadvantages
• Consideration of wound support time
Non - Absorbable
Advantages
• Permanent wound Support
Disadvantages
• Foreign body left
• Suture removal can be costly and inconvenient
• Sinus & Extrusion if left in place
Suture Size
5..4..3..2..1..0..2/0..3/0..4/0..5/0..6/0..7/0..8/0..9/0..10/0..11/0
Thick Thin
USP (United States Pharmacopoeia)
General
Volume % Reduction With Decreasing Size
•2/0
•3/0
•4/0
•5/0
•6/0
•7/0
•8/0
•2/0
•3/0
•4/0
•5/0
•6/0
•7/0
•8/0
•51%
•40%
•49%
•54%
•50%
•44%
•51%
•40%
•49%
•54%
•50%
•44%
Absorbable Sutures
•VICRYL*
•MONOCRYL*
•Coated VICRYL*
•Coated VICRYL* Plus Antibacterial Suture
•PDS* II
•Skin•Perineum•Oral•Lacerations
•Traumatology•Ligaments•Fascia•Vessel
anastomosis
•10 days •By 42 days
•Wound Support•Mass Absorption •Typical Uses
•30 days
•60 days
•20 days
•30 days • 56 - 70 days
•90 - 120 days
•56 - 70 days
•180 - 210 days
•Ligature •General•Bowel•Orthopaedics
•Ligature •General•Bowel•Ophthalmic
•Mucosa•Obstetrics•Bowel•Skin& Ligature
Suture Selection
Bowel: 2/0 - 3/0Fascia: 1 - 0Skin: 2/0 - 5/0Arteries: 2/0 - 8/0Micro surgery 9/0 - 10/0Corneal closure: 9/0 - 10/0
Needle point Geometry
Taper-Point•Suited to soft tissue•Dilates rather than cuts
Reverse cutting
•Very sharp•Ideal for skin•Cuts rather than dilates
Conventional Cutting
•Very sharp•Cuts rather than dilates•Creates weakness allowing suture tearout
Taper-cutting•Ideal in tough or calcified tissues•Mainly used in Cardiac & Vascular procedures.
Needle Shapes•Eye•Microsurgery
•Dura•Eye•Fascia•Nerve
•Muscle•Eye•Skin•Peritoneum
•Cardiovascular•Oral•Pelvis•Urogenital tract
•Nasal cavity•Nerve•Skin•Tendon
•Eye (Anterior• segment)
•Laparoscopy
Staples, Adhesives & Tape
• Staples– Quick, poor aesthetic result
• Adhesives– Dermabond- painless, petroleum dissolves
• Tape– Steri-strips
The Suture Packaging
STRAND SIZE
MATERIAL
STRAND LENGTH
PRODUCT CODE
NEEDLE CODE
WITH LIFE SIZE
PICTURE OF
NEEDLE
NEEDLE LENGTHCOLOUR
POINT TYPE
NEEDLE CIRCLE
Suture Techniques
• Simple Continuous– Useful in pediatrics
• Rapid• Easy removal
– Provides effective hemostasis– Distributed tension evenly along length– Can also be locked with each stitch
• Suture removal– face: 3-4 days– scalp: 5 days– trunk: 7 days– arm or leg: 7-10 days– foot: 10-14 days