Did you know that suturing is one of our early ancestors’ first surgical procedures? Over time, the practice has come a long way, but the devices used to enable its greatness haven’t changed much.
Suturing is a procedure of closing wounds using medical-grade thread and a medical tool like a needle on a suture pole. Sutures help heal surgical incisions by holding skin edges together until the body naturally closes the wound. Many different types cater to your surgical needs and goals.
If you’re interested in learning more about this particular procedure, keep reading to discover the different types of sutures.
Types of Sutures
Sutures are stitches used to close a wound or surgical incision. The type of suture material used depends on the wound location and style and the patient’s health and activity level. There are a few types of sutures that you may encounter should you need one.
Gut Suture
Gut sutures are made from an animal intestine and are used for internal stitches that need to be strong and not absorbable. They are also used for external stitches on areas that may experience stress, such as the mouth or hands.
Polydioxanone (PDS)
Polydioxanone (PDS) sutures are a type of synthetic absorbable suture. They are made from a polymer of p-dioxanone and are slowly degraded by hydrolysis. PDS sutures are strong and have good tissue drag, making them ideal for use in deeper tissue layers.
Poliglecaprone
Poliglecaprone (Monocryl) is a synthetic, absorbable, monofilament suture. It is made from a copolymer of glycolide and caprolactone. Poliglecaprone has good tissue handling properties and minimal tissue reactivity.
Polyglactin
Polyglactin is a synthetic absorbable suture. Polyglactin has moderate tensile strength, which decreases over time. It is generally used for interior wound closure, where it will not be subjected to significant stress.
Suture Selection and Techniques
The diameter of the suture strand determines the grade of the suture material. To represent material diameter, the grading system employs the letter “O” followed by a number. The suture strand’s diameter decreases with increasing number.
A needle also has suture material connected to it. Numerous properties may be present on the hand. It can have a cutting or noncutting edge and come in various sizes. Larger needles can seal more tissue with each stitch, whereas smaller needles are more likely to lessen scarring.
If you are looking to practice and enhance your skills in suturing, consider to buy suture practice kit here.
The Risks of Sutures
The risks of sutures include infection, tissue reaction, and never healing. A tissue reaction is when the body mounts an immune response to the suture material. If a condition occurs, it can lead to sepsis which can be deadly.
If a suture does not heal properly, it can cause a seroma, a collection of fluid under the skin.
Understanding the Different Types of Sutures
As you can see, many different types of sutures are available, each with its advantages and disadvantages. The type of suture you choose will depend on your patient’s specific needs. Ask your doctor or surgeon if you have questions about which type of suture is right for your patient.
Are you interested in learning more details? Check out more medical-related articles on our blog.
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