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{{Short description|Medical device used to hold body tissues together}}
{{Short description|Medical device used to hold body tissues together}}
{{Redirect|Stitches|other uses|Stitch (disambiguation)}}
{{Infobox medical intervention
{{Infobox medical intervention
| name = Surgical suture
| name = Surgical suture
| image = Atraumatisches Nahtmaterial 17.JPG
| image = Atraumatisches Nahtmaterial 17.JPG
| caption = Surgical suture and [[polypropylene]] thread on [[needle holder]]. Packaging shown above.
| caption = Surgical suture and [[#Sizes|6-0]] gauge [[polypropylene]] thread held with a [[needle holder]]. Packaging<br> shown above.
| alt =
| alt =
| pronounce =
| pronounce =
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== Needles ==
== Needles ==
[[File:A Surgeon Applying a Suture.jpg|thumb|A surgeon suturing a wound in a person's thumb]]
[[File:A Surgeon Applying a Suture.jpg|thumb|A surgeon suturing a wound in a person's thumb]]

Historically, surgeons used reusable needles with holes (called "eyes"), which are supplied separate from their suture thread. Such suture must be threaded on site, as is done in [[embroidery]] sewing. The advantage of this is that any thread and needle combination is possible to suit the job at hand. [[Swage]]d, or atraumatic, needles with sutures consist of a pre-packed eyeless needle attached to a specific length of suture thread. The suture manufacturer [[swage]]s the suture thread to the eyeless atraumatic needle at the factory. The chief advantage of this is that the doctor or the nurse does not have to spend time threading the suture on the needle, which may be difficult for very fine needles and sutures. Also, the suture end of a swaged needle is narrower than the needle body, eliminating drag from the thread attachment site. In eyed needles, the thread protrudes from the needle body on both sides, and at best causes drag. When passing through friable tissues, the eye needle and suture combination may thus traumatise tissues more than a swaged needle, hence the designation of the latter as "atraumatic".{{citation needed|date=February 2022}}
Historically, surgeons used reusable needles with holes (called "eyes"), which must be threaded before use just as is done with a needle and thread prior to sewing fabric. The advantage of this is that any combination of thread and needle may be chosen to suit the job at hand. [[Swage]]d (or "atraumatic") needles with sutures consist of a pre-packed eyeless needle already attached (by swaging) to a specific length of suture thread. This saves time, and eliminates the most difficult threading of very fine needles and sutures.

Two additional benefits are reduced drag and less potential damage to [[friable]] tissue during suturing. In a swaged suture the thread is of narrower diameter than the needle, whereas it protrudes on both sides in an eyed needle. Being narrower, the thread in a swaged suture has less drag when passing through tissue than the needle, and, not protruding, is less likely to traumatize friable tissue, earning the combination the designation "atraumatic".{{citation needed|date=February 2022}}


There are several shapes of surgical needles. These include:{{citation needed|date=February 2022}}
There are several shapes of surgical needles. These include:{{citation needed|date=February 2022}}
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* 1/4 circle
* 1/4 circle
* 3/8 circle
* 3/8 circle
* 1/2 circle. Subtypes of this needle shape include, from larger to smaller size, CT, CT-1, CT-2 and CT-3.<ref>[http://www.ethicon.novartis.us/pdf/finalNeedleDetailer.pdf Surgical Needle Guide] from [[Novartis]]. Copyright 2005.</ref>
* 1/2 circle. Subtypes of this needle shape include, from larger to smaller size, CT, CT-1, CT-2 and CT-3.<ref>[http://www.ethicon.novartis.us/pdf/finalNeedleDetailer.pdf Surgical Needle Guide] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141106231220/http://www.ethicon.novartis.us/pdf/finalNeedleDetailer.pdf |date=2014-11-06 }} from [[Novartis]]. Copyright 2005.</ref>
* 5/8 circle
* 5/8 circle
* compound [[curve]]
* compound [[curve]]
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===Materials===
===Materials===
{{Further|Suture materials comparison chart}}
[[File:Suture micrograph.jpg|thumb|right|[[Micrograph]] of a [[H&E stain]]ed tissue section showing a non-absorbable multi-filament surgical suture with a surrounding [[foreign-body giant cell]] reaction]]
[[File:Suture micrograph.jpg|thumb|right|[[Micrograph]] of a [[H&E stain]]ed tissue section showing a non-absorbable multi-filament surgical suture with a surrounding [[foreign-body giant cell]] reaction]]
{{Further|Suture materials comparison chart}}
Suture material is often broken down into absorbable thread versus non-absorbable thread, which is further delineated into synthetic fibers versus natural fibers. Another important distinction among suture material is whether it is monofilament or polyfilament (braided) <ref name=":1" />
Suture material is often broken down into absorbable thread versus non-absorbable thread, which is further delineated into synthetic fibers versus natural fibers. Another important distinction among suture material is whether it is monofilament or polyfilament (braided) <ref name=":1" />


====Monofilament versus polyfilament====
'''Monofilament versus polyfilament:''' monofilament fibers have less tensile strength, but create less tissue trauma and are more appropriate with delicate tissues where tissue trauma can be more significant such as small blood vessels. Polyfilament (braided) sutures are composed of multiple fibers and are generally greater in diameter with greater tensile strength, however, they tend to have greater tissue reaction and theoretically have more propensity to harbor bacteria.<ref name=":0" />
Monofilament fibers have less tensile strength but create less tissue trauma and are more appropriate with delicate tissues where tissue trauma can be more significant such as small blood vessels. Polyfilament (braided) sutures are composed of multiple fibers and are generally greater in diameter with greater tensile strength, however, they tend to have greater tissue reaction and theoretically have more propensity to harbor bacteria.<ref name=":0" />

'''Other properties to consider:'''


====Other properties to consider====
* Tensile Strength: the ability of the suture to hold tissues in place without breaking.
* Tensile strength: the ability of the suture to hold tissues in place without breaking.
* Elasticity: the ability of the suture material to adapt to changing tissues such as in cases of edema.
* Elasticity: the ability of the suture material to adapt to changing tissues such as in cases of edema.
* Tissue reactivity: inflammatory response of the surrounding tissue that can cause materials to break down quicker and lose tensile strength. Non absorbable synthetic suture have the lowest of tissue reactivity, while the absorbable natural fibers have the highest rates of tissue reactivity.<ref>{{Cite book |title=Local flaps in facial reconstruction |date=2007 |publisher=Mosby Elsevier |editor=Shan R. Baker |isbn=978-0-323-03684-9 |oclc=489075341}}</ref>
* Tissue reactivity: inflammatory response of the surrounding tissue that can cause materials to break down quicker and lose tensile strength. Non absorbable synthetic suture have the lowest of tissue reactivity, while the absorbable natural fibers have the highest rates of tissue reactivity.<ref>{{Cite book |title=Local flaps in facial reconstruction |date=2007 |publisher=Mosby Elsevier |editor=Shan R. Baker |isbn=978-0-323-03684-9 |oclc=489075341}}</ref>
* Knot security: the ability of the suture to maintain a knot that holds the thread in place.<ref name=":1" />
* Knot security: the ability of the suture to maintain a knot that holds the thread in place.<ref name=":1" />


'''Absorbable'''
====Absorbable====
Absorbable sutures are either degraded via proteolysis or hydrolysis and should not be utilized on body tissue that would require greater than two months of tensile strength. It is generally used internally during surgery or to avoid further procedures for individuals with low likelihood of returning for suture removal.<ref name=":1" /> To-date, the available data indicates that the objective short-term wound outcomes are equivalent for absorbable and non-absorbable sutures, and there is equipoise amongst surgeons.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Lee |first1=Alice |last2=Stanley |first2=Guy H. M. |last3=Wade |first3=Ryckie G. |last4=Berwick |first4=Daniele |last5=Vinicombe |first5=Victoria |last6=Salence |first6=Brogan K. |last7=Musbahi |first7=Esra |last8=De Poli |first8=Anderson R. C. S. |last9=Savu |first9=Mihaela |last10=Batchelor |first10=Jonathan M. |last11=Abbott |first11=Rachel A. |last12=Gardiner |first12=Matthew D. |last13=Wernham |first13=Aaron |last14=Veitch |first14=David |last15=Ghaffar |first15=S. A. |date=2023-02-08 |title=International, prospective cohort study comparing non-absorbable ''versus'' absorbable sutures for skin surgery: CANVAS service evaluation |url=https://doi.org/10.1093/bjs/znad008 |journal=British Journal of Surgery |volume=110 |issue=4 |pages=462–470 |doi=10.1093/bjs/znad008 |pmid=36753053 |issn=0007-1323 |archive-url=https://eprints.whiterose.ac.uk/197649/ |archive-date=27 March 2023}}</ref>


Absorbable sutures are either degraded via proteolysis or hydrolysis and should not be utilized on body tissue that would require greater than two months of tensile strength. It is generally used internally during surgery or to avoid further procedures for individuals with low likelihood of returning for suture removal.<ref name=":1" />


====Natural absorbable====
<u>Natural absorbable</u>: includes plain catgut, chromic catgut and fast catgut which are all produced from the collagen extracted from bovine intestines. They are all polyfilaments which have different degradations times ranging from 3–28 days.<ref name=":1" /> This material is often used for body tissue with low mechanical or shearing force and rapid healing time.
Natural absorbable material includes plain [[catgut]], chromic catgut and fast catgut which are all produced from the collagen extracted from bovine intestines. They are all polyfilaments which have different degradations times ranging from 3–28 days.<ref name=":1" /> This material is often used for body tissue with low mechanical or shearing force and rapid healing time.

Plain Gut – Polyfilament.


====Plain gut (polyfilament)====
* Description: Maintains original strength for 7–10 days and full degradation occurs in 10 weeks.
* Description: Maintains original strength for 7–10 days and full degradation occurs in 10 weeks.
* Advantages/disadvantages: Excellent elasticity allowing for adaptation to tissue swelling. Passes through the skin with very little tissue trauma occurrence. Poor handling and high tissue reactivity causing quick loss of tensile strength.
* Advantages/disadvantages: Excellent elasticity allowing for adaptation to tissue swelling. Passes through the skin with very little tissue trauma occurrence. Poor handling and high tissue reactivity causing quick loss of tensile strength.
* Common use: best used in rapidly healing tissues with good blood supply i.e. mucosal tissues.<ref name=":2" />
* Common use: best used in rapidly healing tissues with good blood supply i.e. mucosal tissues.<ref name=":2" />


Chromic Gut – Polyfilament
====Chromic gut (polyfilament)====

* Description: Maintains original strength for 21–28 days and full degradation occurs in 16–18 weeks.
* Description: Maintains original strength for 21–28 days and full degradation occurs in 16–18 weeks.
* Advantages/disadvantages: Excellent elasticity allowing for adaptation to tissue swelling. Passes through the skin with very little tissue trauma occurrence. Improved handling and decreased tissue reactivity due to chromic salt coating.
* Advantages/disadvantages: Excellent elasticity allowing for adaptation to tissue swelling. Passes through the skin with very little tissue trauma occurrence. Improved handling and decreased tissue reactivity due to chromic salt coating.
* Common use: skin closure (face), mucosa, genitalia.<ref name=":2" />
* Common use: skin closure (face), mucosa, genitalia.<ref name=":2" />


Fast Gut – polyfilament
====Fast gut (polyfilament)====

* Description: Treated with heat to further break down protein and allow for more rapid absorption in bodily tissues. Tensile strength less than a week (3–5 days).<ref name=":1" />
* Description: Treated with heat to further break down protein and allow for more rapid absorption in bodily tissues. Tensile strength less than a week (3–5 days).<ref name=":1" />
* Advantages/disadvantages: Excellent elasticity allowing for adaptation to tissue swelling. Passes through the skin with very little tissue trauma occurrence.
* Advantages/disadvantages: Excellent elasticity allowing for adaptation to tissue swelling. Passes through the skin with very little tissue trauma occurrence.
* Common use: Advised for skin closure only generally on the mucosa or face.<ref name=":2" />
* Common use: Advised for skin closure only generally on the mucosa or face.<ref name=":2" />


====Synthetic absorbable====
<u>Synthetic absorbable</u>: includes Polyglactic acid, Polyglycolic acid, Poliglecaprone, Polydioxanone and Polytrimethylene carbonate. Among these are monofilaments, polyfilaments and braided sutures. In general synthetic materials will keep tensile strength for longer due to less local tissue inflammation.<ref name=":1" />
Synthetic absorbable material includes polyglactic acid, polyglycolic acid, poliglecaprone, polydioxanone, and polytrimethylene carbonate. Among these are monofilaments, polyfilaments and braided sutures. In general synthetic materials will keep tensile strength for longer due to less local tissue inflammation.<ref name=":1" />

Poliglecaprone monofilament (Monocryl, Monocryl Plus, Suruglyde)


====Poliglecaprone (monofilament, Monocryl, Monocryl Plus, Suruglyde)====
* Description: copolymer of synthetic materials. Loses tensile strength quickly; sixty percent lost in the first week. All strength lost within 3 weeks.<ref>{{Cite book |title=Feline soft tissue and general surgery |date=2013 |editor=S. J. Langley-Hobbs |editor2=Jackie Demetriou |editor3=Jane Ladlow |isbn=978-0-7020-5420-4 |location=Edinburgh |oclc=865542682}}</ref>
* Description: copolymer of synthetic materials. Loses tensile strength quickly; sixty percent lost in the first week. All strength lost within 3 weeks.<ref>{{Cite book |title=Feline soft tissue and general surgery |date=2013 |editor-first=S. J. |editor-last=Langley-Hobbs |editor2-first=Jackie |editor2-last=Demetriou |editor3-first=Jane |editor3-last=Ladlow |isbn=978-0-7020-5420-4 |location=Edinburgh |oclc=865542682}}</ref>
* Advantages/disadvantages: high tensile strength, excellent elasticity, excellent cosmetic outcomes, decreased hypertrophic scarring, minimal tissue reaction, good knot security originally, however the material makes the security unreliable over time, thus it is important to keep ears of material long.
* Advantages/disadvantages: high tensile strength, excellent elasticity, excellent cosmetic outcomes, decreased hypertrophic scarring, minimal tissue reaction, good knot security originally; however, the material makes the security unreliable over time, thus it is important to keep ears of material long.
* Common use: Advised for subcutaneous and superficial tissue closure.
* Common use: Advised for subcutaneous and superficial tissue closure.


Polyglycolic Acid - polyfilament (Dexon)
====Polyglycolic acid (polyfilament, Dexon)====


* Description: synthetic polymer that loses all tensile strength in by 25 days. Either dyed green for visibility or undyed.
* Description: synthetic polymer that loses all tensile strength in by 25 days. Either dyed green for visibility or undyed.
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* Common use: subcutaneous tissue.
* Common use: subcutaneous tissue.


Polyglactin 910 - polyfilament (Vicryl)
====Polyglactin 910 (polyfilament, Vicryl)====

* Description: loss of all tensile strength in 28 days.
* Description: loss of all tensile strength in 28 days.
* Advantages/disadvantages: minimal tissue reaction, good tensile strength, good knot security,
* Advantages/disadvantages: minimal tissue reaction, good tensile strength, good knot security,
* Common use: subcutaneous tissue, skin closure (avoid dyed Vicryl on face),
* Common use: subcutaneous tissue, skin closure (avoid dyed Vicryl on face).

Polyglactin 910 Irradiated - polyfilament (Vicryl Rapid)


====Polyglactin 910 Irradiated (polyfilament, Vicryl Rapid)====
* Description: sourced as vicryl is with irradiation to break down material for quicker absorption. Loss of all tensile strength in 5–7 days.
* Description: sourced as vicryl is with irradiation to break down material for quicker absorption. Loss of all tensile strength in 5–7 days.
* Advantages/disadvantages: minimal tissue reaction, good tensile strength, fair good handling and good knot security.
* Advantages/disadvantages: minimal tissue reaction, good tensile strength, fair good handling and good knot security.
* Common use: scalp and facial laceration closure.
* Common use: scalp and facial laceration closure.


Polglyconate - monofilament (Maxon)
====Polglyconate (monofilament, Maxon)====


* Description: co polymer product of synthetic materials. Loses 75% of the tensile strength after 40 days.
* Description: co polymer product of synthetic materials. Loses 75% of the tensile strength after 40 days.
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* Common use: subcutaneous use often an alternative to PDS due to better handling and slightly superior tensile strength.
* Common use: subcutaneous use often an alternative to PDS due to better handling and slightly superior tensile strength.


Polydioxanone Closures (PDS) - monofilament
====Polydioxanone closures (PDS, monofilament)====

* Description: loss of tensile strength in 36–53 days.
* Description: loss of tensile strength in 36–53 days.
* Advantages/disadvantages: minimal tissue reaction, good tensile strength, but poor handling.
* Advantages/disadvantages: minimal tissue reaction, good tensile strength, but poor handling.
* Common use: subcutaneous with need of high tensile strength (abdominal incision closure).<ref name=":2" />
* Common use: subcutaneous with need of high tensile strength (abdominal incision closure).<ref name=":2" />


'''Non-absorbable'''
====Non-absorbable====

These sutures hold greater tensile strength for longer periods of time and are not subject to degradation. They are appropriate for tissues with a high degree of mechanical or shear force (tendons, certain skin location). They also supply the operator with greater ease of use due to less thread memory.<ref name=":2" />
These sutures hold greater tensile strength for longer periods of time and are not subject to degradation. They are appropriate for tissues with a high degree of mechanical or shear force (tendons, certain skin location). They also supply the operator with greater ease of use due to less thread memory.<ref name=":2" />


<u>Natural:</u>
=====Natural=====


Silk - polyfilament (Permahand, Ethicon; Sofsilk, Covidien)
[[Silk]] (polyfilament, Permahand, Ethicon; Sofsilk, Covidien)


* Description: surgical silk is a protein derived from silkworms that is coated to minimize friction and water absorption.
* Description: surgical silk is a protein derived from silkworms that is coated to minimize friction and water absorption.
* Advantages/disadvantages: This material has good tensile strength, is easy to handle and has excellent knot security. However, it is rarely used internally due to its significant tissue reaction which causes loss of tensile strength over months.
* Advantages/disadvantages: This material has good tensile strength, is easy to handle and has excellent knot security. However, it is rarely used internally due to its significant tissue reaction which causes loss of tensile strength over months.
* Common use: Due to advancements in sutures, there is no longer indication for use of surgical silk. However, it is still commonly used in dentistry for mucosal surfaces<ref>{{Cite book |title=Skin and soft tissue injuries and infections: a practical evidence based guide |date=2010 |publisher=People's Medical Pub. House-USA |editor=Adam J. Singer |editor2=Judd E. Hollander |editor3=Robert M. Blumm |isbn=978-1-60795-201-5 |location=Shelton, CT |oclc=801407265}}</ref> or to secure surgical tubes on the bodies surface.
* Common use: Due to advancements in sutures, there is no longer indication for use of surgical silk. However, it is still commonly used in dentistry for mucosal surfaces<ref>{{Cite book |title=Skin and soft tissue injuries and infections: a practical evidence based guide |date=2010 |publisher=People's Medical |editor-first=Adam J. |editor-last=Singer |editor2-first=Judd E. |editor2-last=Hollander |editor3-first=Robert M. |editor3-last=Blumm |isbn=978-1-60795-201-5 |location=Shelton, Connecticut |oclc=801407265}}</ref> or to secure surgical tubes on the bodies surface.


=====Synthetic=====
<u>Synthetic:</u> includes nylon, polypropylene and surgical steel all of which are monofilaments with great tensile strength.<ref name=":1" />
Synthetic materials include [[nylon]], [[polypropylene]] and [[surgical steel]] all of which are monofilaments with great tensile strength.<ref name=":1" />


Nylon - monofilaments (Dermalon, Ethilon)
Nylon (monofilaments, Dermalon, Ethilon)


* Description: polyamide
* Description: polyamide
* Advantages/disadvantages: Excellent tensile strength. However, poor handling and poor knot security due to high material memory.
* Advantages/disadvantages: Excellent tensile strength. However, poor handling and poor knot security due to high material memory.
* Common use: Excellent for superficial skin closure due to minimal tissue reactivity.<ref name=":2">{{Cite book |last=Trott |first=Alexander |title=Wounds and lacerations: emergency care and closure |date=2012 |isbn=978-0-323-09132-9 |edition= |location=Philadelphia, PA |oclc=793588304}}</ref> It is the most commonly used skin suture due to its excellent adaptability to potentially expanding tissues (edema).<ref>{{Cite book |title=Comprehensive biomaterials |date=2011 |publisher=Elsevier |editor=Paul Ducheyne |display-editors=etal |isbn=978-0-08-055294-1 |location=Amsterdam |oclc=771916865}}</ref>
* Common use: Excellent for superficial skin closure due to minimal tissue reactivity.<ref name=":2">{{Cite book |last=Trott |first=Alexander |title=Wounds and lacerations: emergency care and closure |date=2012 |isbn=978-0-323-09132-9 |edition= |location=Philadelphia, Pennsylvania |oclc=793588304}}</ref> It is the most commonly used skin suture due to its excellent adaptability to potentially expanding tissues (edema).<ref>{{Cite book |title=Comprehensive biomaterials |date=2011 |publisher=Elsevier |editor-first=Paul |editor-last=Ducheyne |display-editors=etal |isbn=978-0-08-055294-1 |location=Amsterdam |oclc=771916865}}</ref>


Nylon - polyfilaments (Nurolon, Surgilon, Supramid)
Nylon (polyfilaments, Nurolon, Surgilon, Supramid)


* Description: polyamide
* Description: polyamide
* Advantages/disadvantages: Excellent tensile strength, increased usability, and increased knot security as compared to its monofilamentous counterpart. However, it's polyfilamentous characteristics is said to increase risk of infection.
* Advantages/disadvantages: Excellent tensile strength, increased usability, and increased knot security as compared to its monofilamentous counterpart. However, its polyfilamentous nature is said{{weasel inline|date=February 2024}} to increase risk of infection.
* Common use: soft tissue, vessel ligations and superficial skin (specifically facial lacerations).<ref name=":2" />
* Common use: soft tissue, vessel ligations and superficial skin (specifically facial lacerations).<ref name=":2" />


Braided Polyester – polyfilament (Ethibond, Dagrofil, Synthofil, PremiCron, Synthofil)
Braided polyester (polyfilament, Ethibond, Dagrofil, Synthofil, PremiCron, Synthofil)


* Description: made from polyethylene terephthalate, there are various brands and configurations of this type of suture. Many are braided, coated in silicone and dyed for visibility.
* Description: made from polyethylene terephthalate, there are various brands and configurations of this type of suture. Many are braided, coated in silicone and dyed for visibility.
* Advantages/disadvantages: Good handling, good knot security and high tensile strength due to low tissue reactivity. However, this suture can create more tissue trauma when passing through the skin and is more expensive than its counterparts
* Advantages/disadvantages: Good handling, good knot security and high tensile strength due to low tissue reactivity. However, this suture can create more tissue trauma when passing through the skin and is more expensive than its counterparts
* Common use: Rare, pediatric valvular surgery,<ref>{{Cite book |title=Paediatric cardiology |date=2010 |publisher=Churchill Livingstone/Elsevier |editor=Robert H. Anderson |display-editors=etal |isbn=978-0-7020-3735-1 |location=Philadelphia |oclc=460904281}}</ref> alternative to surgical steel for orthopedic surgery due to superior handling.<ref>{{Cite book |title=Evidence-based orthopaedics: the best answers to clinical questions |date=2009 |publisher=Saunders/Elsevier |editor=James G. Wright |display-editors=etal |isbn=978-1-4377-1113-4 |location=Philadelphia |oclc=460904348}}</ref>
* Common use: Rare, pediatric valvular surgery,<ref>{{Cite book |title=Paediatric cardiology |date=2010 |publisher=Churchill Livingstone/Elsevier |editor-first=Robert H. |editor-last=Anderson |display-editors=etal |isbn=978-0-7020-3735-1 |location=Philadelphia |oclc=460904281}}</ref> alternative to surgical steel for orthopedic surgery due to superior handling.<ref>{{Cite book |title=Evidence-based orthopaedics: the best answers to clinical questions |date=2009 |publisher=Saunders/Elsevier |editor-first=James G. |editor-last=Wright |display-editors=etal |isbn=978-1-4377-1113-4 |location=Philadelphia |oclc=460904348}}</ref>


Polybutester monofilament (Novafil)
Polybutester (monofilament, Novafil)


* Description: A copolymer of polyester.
* Description: A copolymer of polyester.
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* Common use: rare, tendon repairs, plastics (pull out subcuticular stitch)<ref name=":2" />
* Common use: rare, tendon repairs, plastics (pull out subcuticular stitch)<ref name=":2" />


Surgical Steel
Surgical steel


* Description: synthetic mixture of multiple alloys.
* Description: synthetic mixture of multiple alloys.
* Advantages/disadvantages: Tensile strength is exceptional with very little tissue reactivity, thus maintaining minimal degradation over time. Unfortunately, this suture material has very poor handling.
* Advantages/disadvantages: Tensile strength is exceptional with very little tissue reactivity, thus maintaining minimal degradation over time. This suture material has very poor handling.
* Common use: orthopedics, sternum closure.<ref name=":1" />
* Common use: orthopedics, sternum closure.<ref name=":1" />


[[File:Surgical suture.jpg|thumb|During the first dressing, Redon's drain was removed and the sutures were checked (Surgical suture)]]
[[File:Surgical suture.jpg|thumb|During the first dressing, Redon's drain was removed and the sutures were checked (surgical suture)]]


=== Sizes ===
=== Sizes ===


Suture sizes are defined by the [[United States Pharmacopeia]] (U.S.P.). Sutures were originally manufactured ranging in size from #1 to #6, with #1 being the smallest. A #4 suture would be roughly the diameter of a tennis racquet string. The manufacturing techniques, derived at the beginning from the production of musical strings, did not allow thinner diameters. As the procedures improved, #0 was added to the suture diameters, and later, thinner and thinner threads were manufactured, which were identified as #00 (#2-0 or #2/0) to #000000 (#6-0 or #6/0).{{citation needed|date=February 2022}}
Suture sizes are defined by the [[United States Pharmacopeia]] (U.S.P.). Sutures were originally manufactured ranging in size from #1 to #6, with #1 being the smallest. A #4 suture would be roughly the diameter of a tennis racquet string. The manufacturing techniques, derived at the beginning from the production of musical strings, did not allow thinner diameters. As the procedures improved, #0 was added to the suture diameters, and later, thinner and thinner threads were manufactured, which were identified as #00 (#2-0 or #2/0) to #000000 (#6-0 or #6/0).{{citation needed|date=February 2022}}


Modern sutures range from #5 (heavy braided suture for orthopedics) to #11-0 (fine monofilament suture for ophthalmics). Atraumatic needles are manufactured in all shapes for most sizes. The actual diameter of thread for a given U.S.P. size differs depending on the suture material class.
Modern sutures range from #5 (heavy braided suture for orthopedics) to #11-0 (fine monofilament suture for ophthalmics). Atraumatic needles are manufactured in all shapes for most sizes. The actual diameter of thread for a given U.S.P. size differs depending on the suture material class.


:{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable"
! USP<br />designation !! Collagen<br />diameter (mm) !! Synthetic absorbable<br />diameter (mm) !! Non-absorbable<br />diameter (mm) !! [[American wire gauge|American <br />wire gauge]]
! USP<br />designation !! Collagen<br />diameter (mm) !! Synthetic absorbable<br />diameter (mm) !! Non-absorbable<br />diameter (mm) !! [[American wire gauge|American <br />wire gauge]]
|-
|-
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* ''Purse-string suture'', a continuous, circular inverting suture which is made to secure apposition of the edges of a surgical or traumatic wound.<ref>Dorland's Medical Dictionary for Health Consumers. Copyright 2007</ref><ref>[[Miller-Keane Encyclopedia & Dictionary of Medicine, Nursing, and Allied Health]], Seventh Edition.</ref>
* ''Purse-string suture'', a continuous, circular inverting suture which is made to secure apposition of the edges of a surgical or traumatic wound.<ref>Dorland's Medical Dictionary for Health Consumers. Copyright 2007</ref><ref>[[Miller-Keane Encyclopedia & Dictionary of Medicine, Nursing, and Allied Health]], Seventh Edition.</ref>
* [[Horizontal mattress stitch|Figure-of-eight stitch]]
* [[Horizontal mattress stitch|Figure-of-eight stitch]]
* [[Ladder stitch|Subcuticular stitch]]. A continuous suture where the needle enters and exits the epidermis along the plane of the skin. This stitch is for approximating superficial skin edges and provides the best cosmetic result. Superficial gapping wounds may be reduced effectively by using continuous subcuticular sutures.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Gurusamy |first1=Kurinchi Selvan |last2=Toon |first2=Clare D |last3=Allen |first3=Victoria B |last4=Davidson |first4=Brian R |date=2014-02-14 |editor-last=Cochrane Wounds Group |title=Continuous versus interrupted skin sutures for non-obstetric surgery |journal=Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews |issue=2 |pages=CD010365 |language=en |doi=10.1002/14651858.CD010365.pub2|pmid=24526375 }}</ref> It is unclear whether subcuticular sutures can reduce the rate of surgical site infections.when compared with other suturing methods.<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Goto|first1=Saori|last2=Sakamoto|first2=Takashi|last3=Ganeko|first3=Riki|last4=Hida|first4=Koya|last5=Furukawa|first5=Toshi A|last6=Sakai|first6=Yoshiharu|date=2020-04-09|editor-last=Cochrane Wounds Group|title=Subcuticular sutures for skin closure in non-obstetric surgery|journal=Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews|volume=2020|issue=4 |pages=CD012124|language=en|doi=10.1002/14651858.CD012124.pub2|pmc=7144739|pmid=32271475}}</ref>
* [[Ladder stitch|Subcuticular stitch]]. A continuous suture where the needle enters and exits the epidermis along the plane of the skin. This stitch is for approximating superficial skin edges and provides the best cosmetic result. Superficial gapping wounds may be reduced effectively by using continuous subcuticular sutures.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Gurusamy |first1=Kurinchi Selvan |last2=Toon |first2=Clare D |last3=Allen |first3=Victoria B |last4=Davidson |first4=Brian R |date=2014-02-14 |editor-last=Cochrane Wounds Group |title=Continuous versus interrupted skin sutures for non-obstetric surgery |journal=Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews |volume=2014 |issue=2 |pages=CD010365 |language=en |doi=10.1002/14651858.CD010365.pub2|pmid=24526375 |pmc=10692401 }}</ref> It is unclear whether subcuticular sutures can reduce the rate of surgical site infections.when compared with other suturing methods.<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Goto|first1=Saori|last2=Sakamoto|first2=Takashi|last3=Ganeko|first3=Riki|last4=Hida|first4=Koya|last5=Furukawa|first5=Toshi A|last6=Sakai|first6=Yoshiharu|date=2020-04-09|editor-last=Cochrane Wounds Group|title=Subcuticular sutures for skin closure in non-obstetric surgery|journal=Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews|volume=2020|issue=4 |pages=CD012124|language=en|doi=10.1002/14651858.CD012124.pub2|pmc=7144739|pmid=32271475}}</ref>


===Placement===
===Placement===
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Topical [[cyanoacrylate]] adhesives (closely related to super glue), have been used in combination with, or as an alternative to, sutures in wound closure. The adhesive remains liquid until exposed to water or water-containing substances/tissue, after which it cures (polymerizes) and forms a bond to the underlying surface. The tissue adhesive has been shown to act as a barrier to microbial penetration as long as the adhesive film remains intact. Limitations of tissue adhesives include contraindications to use near the eyes and a mild learning curve on correct usage. They are also unsuitable for oozing or potentially contaminated wounds.{{citation needed|date=February 2022}}
Topical [[cyanoacrylate]] adhesives (closely related to super glue), have been used in combination with, or as an alternative to, sutures in wound closure. The adhesive remains liquid until exposed to water or water-containing substances/tissue, after which it cures (polymerizes) and forms a bond to the underlying surface. The tissue adhesive has been shown to act as a barrier to microbial penetration as long as the adhesive film remains intact. Limitations of tissue adhesives include contraindications to use near the eyes and a mild learning curve on correct usage. They are also unsuitable for oozing or potentially contaminated wounds.{{citation needed|date=February 2022}}


In surgical incisions it does not work as well as sutures as the wounds often break open.<ref>{{cite journal|last1=Dumville|first1=JC|last2=Coulthard|first2=P|last3=Worthington|first3=HV|last4=Riley|first4=P|last5=Patel|first5=N|last6=Darcey|first6=J|last7=Esposito|first7=M|last8=van der Elst|first8=M|last9=van Waes|first9=OJ|title=Tissue adhesives for closure of surgical incisions.|journal=The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews|date=28 November 2014|volume=11|issue=11|pages=CD004287|pmid=25431843|doi=10.1002/14651858.CD004287.pub4}}</ref>
In surgical incisions it does not work as well as sutures as the wounds often break open.<ref>{{cite journal|last1=Dumville|first1=JC|last2=Coulthard|first2=P|last3=Worthington|first3=HV|last4=Riley|first4=P|last5=Patel|first5=N|last6=Darcey|first6=J|last7=Esposito|first7=M|last8=van der Elst|first8=M|last9=van Waes|first9=OJ|title=Tissue adhesives for closure of surgical incisions.|journal=The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews|date=28 November 2014|volume=2014|issue=11|pages=CD004287|pmid=25431843|doi=10.1002/14651858.CD004287.pub4|pmc=10074547 }}</ref>


Cyanoacrylate is the generic name for cyanoacrylate based fast-acting glues such as methyl-2-cyanoacrylate, ethyl-2-cyanoacrylate (commonly sold under trade names like Superglue and Krazy Glue) and n-butyl-cyanoacrylate. Skin glues like Indermil and Histoacryl were the first medical grade tissue adhesives to be used, and these are composed of n-butyl cyanoacrylate. These worked well but had the disadvantage of having to be stored in the refrigerator, were exothermic so they stung the patient, and the bond was brittle. Nowadays, the longer chain polymer, 2-octyl cyanoacrylate, is the preferred medical grade glue. It is available under various trade names, such as LiquiBand, SurgiSeal, FloraSeal, and Dermabond. These have the advantages of being more flexible, making a stronger bond, and being easier to use. The longer side chain types, for example octyl and butyl forms, also reduce tissue reaction.
Cyanoacrylate is the generic name for cyanoacrylate based fast-acting glues such as methyl-2-cyanoacrylate, ethyl-2-cyanoacrylate (commonly sold under trade names like Superglue and Krazy Glue) and n-butyl-cyanoacrylate. Skin glues like Indermil and Histoacryl were the first [[medical grade]] tissue adhesives to be used, and these are composed of n-butyl cyanoacrylate. These worked well but had the disadvantage of having to be stored in the refrigerator, were exothermic so they stung the patient, and the bond was brittle. Nowadays, the longer chain polymer, 2-octyl cyanoacrylate, is the preferred medical grade glue. It is available under various trade names, such as LiquiBand, SurgiSeal, FloraSeal, and Dermabond. These have the advantages of being more flexible, making a stronger bond, and being easier to use. The longer side chain types, for example octyl and butyl forms, also reduce tissue reaction.


==History==
==History==
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Through many millennia, various suture materials were used or proposed. Needles were made of [[bone]] or metals such as [[silver]], [[copper]], and [[aluminium]] [[bronze]] [[wire]]. Sutures were made of plant materials ([[flax]], [[hemp]] and [[cotton]]) or animal material ([[hair]], [[tendons]], [[arteries]], [[muscle]] strips and [[nerves]], [[silk]], and [[catgut]]).{{citation needed|date=February 2022}}
Through many millennia, various suture materials were used or proposed. Needles were made of [[bone]] or metals such as [[silver]], [[copper]], and [[aluminium]] [[bronze]] [[wire]]. Sutures were made of plant materials ([[flax]], [[hemp]] and [[cotton]]) or animal material ([[hair]], [[tendons]], [[arteries]], [[muscle]] strips and [[nerves]], [[silk]], and [[catgut]]).{{citation needed|date=February 2022}}


The earliest reports of surgical suture date to 3000 BC in ancient [[Egypt]], and the oldest known suture is in a [[mummy]] from 1100 BC. A detailed description of a wound suture and the suture materials used in it is by the Indian sage and physician [[Sushruta Samhita|Sushruta]], written in 500 BC.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Mysore|first1=Venkataram|title=Acs(I) Textbook on Cutaneous and Aesthetic Surgery|publisher=Jaypee Brothers Medical Publishers Pvt. Ltd.|isbn=9789350905913|pages=125–126|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=47HGBAAAQBAJ&pg=PA126|access-date=25 January 2016|date=2012-12-15}}</ref> The Greek father of medicine, [[Hippocrates]], described suture techniques, as did the later Roman [[Aulus Cornelius Celsus]]. The 2nd-century Roman physician [[Galen]] described sutures made of surgical gut or [[catgut]].<ref name="Nutton2005">{{cite book|last=Nutton|first=Vivia|title=Ancient Medicine|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=PREr9_rojrQC|access-date=21 November 2012|date=2005-07-30|publisher=Taylor & Francis US|isbn=9780415368483}}</ref> In the 10th century, the [[catgut suture]] along with the surgery needle were used in operations by [[Abulcasis]].<ref>{{cite book|last1=Rooney|first1=Anne|title=The Story of Medicine|date=2009|publisher=Arcturus Publishing|isbn=9781848580398|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=jBMEAwAAQBAJ&q=Catgut+al-zahrawi+The+Story+of+Medicine&pg=PT161|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|last1=Rakel|first1=David|last2=Rakel|first2=Robert E.|title=Textbook of Family Medicine E-Book|date=2011|publisher=Elsevier Health Sciences|isbn=978-1437735673|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=B3Hr25rgpZsC&q=Abulcasis+%22plastic+surgery%22&pg=PA550-IA11|language=en}}</ref> The gut suture was similar to that of strings for violins, guitars, and tennis racquets and it involved harvesting sheep or cow [[intestine]]s. Catgut sometimes led to infection due to a lack of disinfection and sterilization of the material.<ref>{{cite book|title=Tutorials in Suturing Techniques for Orthopedics|page=7|year=2021|publisher=Springer Nature|isbn=9789813363304 |editor=Hua Chen |editor2=Kejian Wu |editor3=Peifu Tang |editor4=Yixin Zhang |editor5=Zhongguo Fu}}</ref>
The earliest reports of surgical suture date to 3000 BC in ancient [[Egypt]], and the oldest known suture is in a [[mummy]] from 1100 BC. A detailed description of a wound suture and the suture materials used in it is by the Indian sage and physician [[Sushruta Samhita|Sushruta]], written in 500 BC.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Mysore|first1=Venkataram|title=Acs(I) Textbook on Cutaneous and Aesthetic Surgery|publisher=Jaypee Brothers |isbn=978-93-5090-591-3|pages=125–126|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=47HGBAAAQBAJ&pg=PA126|access-date=25 January 2016|date=2012-12-15}}</ref> The Greek father of medicine, [[Hippocrates]], described suture techniques, as did the later Roman [[Aulus Cornelius Celsus]]. The 2nd-century Roman physician [[Galen]] described sutures made of surgical gut or [[catgut]].<ref name="Nutton2005">{{cite book|last=Nutton|first=Vivian|author-link=Vivian Nutton|title=Ancient Medicine|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=PREr9_rojrQC|access-date=21 November 2012|date=2005-07-30|publisher=Taylor & Francis US|isbn=978-0-415-36848-3}}</ref> In the 10th century, the [[catgut suture]] along with the surgery needle were used in operations by [[Abulcasis]].<ref>{{cite book|last1=Rooney|first1=Anne|title=The Story of Medicine|date=2009|publisher=Arcturus |isbn=978-1-84858-039-8|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=jBMEAwAAQBAJ&q=Catgut+al-zahrawi+The+Story+of+Medicine&pg=PT161|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|last1=Rakel|first1=David|last2=Rakel|first2=Robert E.|title=Textbook of Family Medicine E-Book|date=2011|publisher=Elsevier Health Sciences|isbn=978-1-4377-3567-3|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=B3Hr25rgpZsC&q=Abulcasis+%22plastic+surgery%22&pg=PA550-IA11|language=en}}</ref> The gut suture was similar to that of strings for violins, guitars, and tennis racquets and it involved harvesting sheep or cow [[intestine]]s. Catgut sometimes led to infection due to a lack of disinfection and sterilization of the material.<ref>{{cite book|title=Tutorials in Suturing Techniques for Orthopedics|page=7|year=2021|publisher=Springer Nature|isbn=978-981-336-330-4 |editor-first=Hua |editor-last=Chen |editor2-first=Kejian |editor2-last=Wu |editor3-first=Peifu |editor3-last=Tang |editor4-first=Yixin |editor4-last=Zhang |editor5-first=Zhongguo |editor5-last=Fu}}</ref>


[[Joseph Lister, 1st Baron Lister|Joseph Lister]] endorsed the routine [[Sterilization (microbiology)|sterilization]] of all suture threads. He first attempted sterilization with the 1860s "carbolic catgut," and chromic catgut followed two decades later. Sterile catgut was finally achieved in 1906 with [[iodine]] treatment.
[[Joseph Lister, 1st Baron Lister|Joseph Lister]] endorsed the routine [[Sterilization (microbiology)|sterilization]] of all suture threads. He first attempted sterilization with the 1860s "carbolic catgut", and chromic catgut followed two decades later. Sterile catgut was finally achieved in 1906 with [[iodine]] treatment.


The next great leap came in the twentieth century. The chemical industry drove production of the first synthetic thread in the early 1930s, which exploded into production of numerous absorbable and non-absorbable synthetics. The first synthetic absorbable was based on [[polyvinyl alcohol]] in 1931. [[Polyester]]s were developed in the 1950s, and later the process of radiation sterilization was established for catgut and polyester. [[Polyglycolic acid]] was discovered in the 1960s and implemented in the 1970s. Today, most sutures are made of synthetic [[polymer]] fibers. Silk and, rarely, gut sutures are the only materials still in use from ancient times. In fact, gut sutures have been banned in Europe and Japan owing to concerns regarding [[bovine spongiform encephalopathy]]. Silk suture is still used today, mainly to secure surgical drains.<ref>{{cite book|title=Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery for the Clinician|page=231|year=2021|publisher=Springer Singapore|isbn=9789811513466 |editor=Anshul Rai |editor2=Elavenil Panneerselvam |editor3=Krishnamurthy Bonanthaya |editor4=Suvy Manuel |editor5=Vinay V. Kumar}}</ref>
The next great leap came in the twentieth century. The chemical industry drove production of the first synthetic thread in the early 1930s, which exploded into production of numerous absorbable and non-absorbable synthetics. The first synthetic absorbable was based on [[polyvinyl alcohol]] in 1931. [[Polyester]]s were developed in the 1950s, and later the process of radiation sterilization was established for catgut and polyester. [[Polyglycolic acid]] was discovered in the 1960s and implemented in the 1970s. Today, most sutures are made of synthetic [[polymer]] fibers. Silk and, rarely, gut sutures are the only materials still in use from ancient times. In fact, gut sutures have been banned in Europe and Japan owing to concerns regarding [[bovine spongiform encephalopathy]]. Silk suture is still used today, mainly to secure surgical drains.<ref>{{cite book|title=Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery for the Clinician|page=231|year=2021|publisher=Springer Singapore|isbn=978-981-15-1346-6 |editor-first=Anshul |editor-last=Rai |editor2-first=Elavenil |editor2-last=Panneerselvam |editor3-first=Krishnamurthy |editor3-last=Bonanthaya |editor4-first=Suvy |editor4-last=Manuel |editor5-first=Vinay V. |editor5-last=Kumar}}</ref>


==See also==<!-- New links in alphabetical order please -->
==See also==<!-- New links in alphabetical order please -->
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* {{annotated link|Sewing}}
* {{annotated link|Sewing}}
* {{annotated link|Surgical staple}}
* {{annotated link|Surgical staple}}
* {{annotated link|Wound closure strip}}s
* {{annotated link|Wound closure strip}}
{{Div col end}}
{{Div col end}}


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[[Category:Surgical suture material| ]]
[[Category:Surgical suture material| ]]
[[Category:Surgical stitches]]
[[Category:Surgical stitches]]
[[Category:Surgery]]

Latest revision as of 15:30, 17 July 2024

Surgical suture
Surgical suture and 6-0 gauge polypropylene thread held with a needle holder. Packaging
shown above.

A surgical suture, also known as a stitch or stitches, is a medical device used to hold body tissues together and approximate wound edges after an injury or surgery. Application generally involves using a needle with an attached length of thread. There are numerous types of suture which differ by needle shape and size as well as thread material and characteristics. Selection of surgical suture should be determined by the characteristics and location of the wound or the specific body tissues being approximated.[1]

In selecting the needle, thread, and suturing technique to use for a specific patient, a medical care provider must consider the tensile strength of the specific suture thread needed to efficiently hold the tissues together depending on the mechanical and shear forces acting on the wound as well as the thickness of the tissue being approximated. One must also consider the elasticity of the thread and ability to adapt to different tissues, as well as the memory of the thread material which lends to ease of use for the operator. Different suture characteristics lend way to differing degrees of tissue reaction and the operator must select a suture that minimizes the tissue reaction while still keeping with appropriate tensile strength.[2]

Needles

[edit]
A surgeon suturing a wound in a person's thumb

Historically, surgeons used reusable needles with holes (called "eyes"), which must be threaded before use just as is done with a needle and thread prior to sewing fabric. The advantage of this is that any combination of thread and needle may be chosen to suit the job at hand. Swaged (or "atraumatic") needles with sutures consist of a pre-packed eyeless needle already attached (by swaging) to a specific length of suture thread. This saves time, and eliminates the most difficult threading of very fine needles and sutures.

Two additional benefits are reduced drag and less potential damage to friable tissue during suturing. In a swaged suture the thread is of narrower diameter than the needle, whereas it protrudes on both sides in an eyed needle. Being narrower, the thread in a swaged suture has less drag when passing through tissue than the needle, and, not protruding, is less likely to traumatize friable tissue, earning the combination the designation "atraumatic".[citation needed]

There are several shapes of surgical needles. These include:[citation needed]

  • Straight
  • 1/4 circle
  • 3/8 circle
  • 1/2 circle. Subtypes of this needle shape include, from larger to smaller size, CT, CT-1, CT-2 and CT-3.[3]
  • 5/8 circle
  • compound curve
  • half curved (also known as ski)
  • half curved at both ends of a straight segment (also known as canoe)

The ski and canoe needle design allows curved needles to be straight enough to be used in laparoscopic surgery, where instruments are inserted into the abdominal cavity through narrow cannulas.

Needles may also be classified by their point geometry; examples include:

  • taper (needle body is round and tapers smoothly to a point)
  • cutting (needle body is triangular and has a sharpened cutting edge on the inside curve)
  • reverse cutting (cutting edge on the outside)
  • trocar point or tapercut (needle body is round and tapered, but ends in a small triangular cutting point)
  • blunt points for sewing friable tissues
  • side cutting or spatula points (flat on top and bottom with a cutting edge along the front to one side) for eye surgery

Finally, atraumatic needles may be permanently swaged to the suture or may be designed to come off the suture with a sharp straight tug. These "pop-offs" are commonly used for interrupted sutures, where each suture is only passed once and then tied.

Sutures can withstand different amounts of force based on their size; this is quantified by the U.S.P. Needles Pull Specifications.[citation needed]

Thread

[edit]

Materials

[edit]
Micrograph of a H&E stained tissue section showing a non-absorbable multi-filament surgical suture with a surrounding foreign-body giant cell reaction

Suture material is often broken down into absorbable thread versus non-absorbable thread, which is further delineated into synthetic fibers versus natural fibers. Another important distinction among suture material is whether it is monofilament or polyfilament (braided) [2]

Monofilament versus polyfilament

[edit]

Monofilament fibers have less tensile strength but create less tissue trauma and are more appropriate with delicate tissues where tissue trauma can be more significant such as small blood vessels. Polyfilament (braided) sutures are composed of multiple fibers and are generally greater in diameter with greater tensile strength, however, they tend to have greater tissue reaction and theoretically have more propensity to harbor bacteria.[1]

Other properties to consider

[edit]
  • Tensile strength: the ability of the suture to hold tissues in place without breaking.
  • Elasticity: the ability of the suture material to adapt to changing tissues such as in cases of edema.
  • Tissue reactivity: inflammatory response of the surrounding tissue that can cause materials to break down quicker and lose tensile strength. Non absorbable synthetic suture have the lowest of tissue reactivity, while the absorbable natural fibers have the highest rates of tissue reactivity.[4]
  • Knot security: the ability of the suture to maintain a knot that holds the thread in place.[2]

Absorbable

[edit]

Absorbable sutures are either degraded via proteolysis or hydrolysis and should not be utilized on body tissue that would require greater than two months of tensile strength. It is generally used internally during surgery or to avoid further procedures for individuals with low likelihood of returning for suture removal.[2] To-date, the available data indicates that the objective short-term wound outcomes are equivalent for absorbable and non-absorbable sutures, and there is equipoise amongst surgeons.[5]


Natural absorbable

[edit]

Natural absorbable material includes plain catgut, chromic catgut and fast catgut which are all produced from the collagen extracted from bovine intestines. They are all polyfilaments which have different degradations times ranging from 3–28 days.[2] This material is often used for body tissue with low mechanical or shearing force and rapid healing time.

Plain gut (polyfilament)

[edit]
  • Description: Maintains original strength for 7–10 days and full degradation occurs in 10 weeks.
  • Advantages/disadvantages: Excellent elasticity allowing for adaptation to tissue swelling. Passes through the skin with very little tissue trauma occurrence. Poor handling and high tissue reactivity causing quick loss of tensile strength.
  • Common use: best used in rapidly healing tissues with good blood supply i.e. mucosal tissues.[6]

Chromic gut (polyfilament)

[edit]
  • Description: Maintains original strength for 21–28 days and full degradation occurs in 16–18 weeks.
  • Advantages/disadvantages: Excellent elasticity allowing for adaptation to tissue swelling. Passes through the skin with very little tissue trauma occurrence. Improved handling and decreased tissue reactivity due to chromic salt coating.
  • Common use: skin closure (face), mucosa, genitalia.[6]

Fast gut (polyfilament)

[edit]
  • Description: Treated with heat to further break down protein and allow for more rapid absorption in bodily tissues. Tensile strength less than a week (3–5 days).[2]
  • Advantages/disadvantages: Excellent elasticity allowing for adaptation to tissue swelling. Passes through the skin with very little tissue trauma occurrence.
  • Common use: Advised for skin closure only generally on the mucosa or face.[6]

Synthetic absorbable

[edit]

Synthetic absorbable material includes polyglactic acid, polyglycolic acid, poliglecaprone, polydioxanone, and polytrimethylene carbonate. Among these are monofilaments, polyfilaments and braided sutures. In general synthetic materials will keep tensile strength for longer due to less local tissue inflammation.[2]

Poliglecaprone (monofilament, Monocryl, Monocryl Plus, Suruglyde)

[edit]
  • Description: copolymer of synthetic materials. Loses tensile strength quickly; sixty percent lost in the first week. All strength lost within 3 weeks.[7]
  • Advantages/disadvantages: high tensile strength, excellent elasticity, excellent cosmetic outcomes, decreased hypertrophic scarring, minimal tissue reaction, good knot security originally; however, the material makes the security unreliable over time, thus it is important to keep ears of material long.
  • Common use: Advised for subcutaneous and superficial tissue closure.

Polyglycolic acid (polyfilament, Dexon)

[edit]
  • Description: synthetic polymer that loses all tensile strength in by 25 days. Either dyed green for visibility or undyed.
  • Advantages/disadvantages: minimal tissue reaction, good tensile strength, good handling, but poor knot security.
  • Common use: subcutaneous tissue.

Polyglactin 910 (polyfilament, Vicryl)

[edit]
  • Description: loss of all tensile strength in 28 days.
  • Advantages/disadvantages: minimal tissue reaction, good tensile strength, good knot security,
  • Common use: subcutaneous tissue, skin closure (avoid dyed Vicryl on face).

Polyglactin 910 Irradiated (polyfilament, Vicryl Rapid)

[edit]
  • Description: sourced as vicryl is with irradiation to break down material for quicker absorption. Loss of all tensile strength in 5–7 days.
  • Advantages/disadvantages: minimal tissue reaction, good tensile strength, fair good handling and good knot security.
  • Common use: scalp and facial laceration closure.

Polglyconate (monofilament, Maxon)

[edit]
  • Description: co polymer product of synthetic materials. Loses 75% of the tensile strength after 40 days.
  • Advantages/disadvantages: minimal tissue reaction, excellent tensile strength, good handling.
  • Common use: subcutaneous use often an alternative to PDS due to better handling and slightly superior tensile strength.

Polydioxanone closures (PDS, monofilament)

[edit]
  • Description: loss of tensile strength in 36–53 days.
  • Advantages/disadvantages: minimal tissue reaction, good tensile strength, but poor handling.
  • Common use: subcutaneous with need of high tensile strength (abdominal incision closure).[6]

Non-absorbable

[edit]

These sutures hold greater tensile strength for longer periods of time and are not subject to degradation. They are appropriate for tissues with a high degree of mechanical or shear force (tendons, certain skin location). They also supply the operator with greater ease of use due to less thread memory.[6]

Natural
[edit]

Silk (polyfilament, Permahand, Ethicon; Sofsilk, Covidien)

  • Description: surgical silk is a protein derived from silkworms that is coated to minimize friction and water absorption.
  • Advantages/disadvantages: This material has good tensile strength, is easy to handle and has excellent knot security. However, it is rarely used internally due to its significant tissue reaction which causes loss of tensile strength over months.
  • Common use: Due to advancements in sutures, there is no longer indication for use of surgical silk. However, it is still commonly used in dentistry for mucosal surfaces[8] or to secure surgical tubes on the bodies surface.
Synthetic
[edit]

Synthetic materials include nylon, polypropylene and surgical steel all of which are monofilaments with great tensile strength.[2]

Nylon (monofilaments, Dermalon, Ethilon)

  • Description: polyamide
  • Advantages/disadvantages: Excellent tensile strength. However, poor handling and poor knot security due to high material memory.
  • Common use: Excellent for superficial skin closure due to minimal tissue reactivity.[6] It is the most commonly used skin suture due to its excellent adaptability to potentially expanding tissues (edema).[9]

Nylon (polyfilaments, Nurolon, Surgilon, Supramid)

  • Description: polyamide
  • Advantages/disadvantages: Excellent tensile strength, increased usability, and increased knot security as compared to its monofilamentous counterpart. However, its polyfilamentous nature is said[weasel words] to increase risk of infection.
  • Common use: soft tissue, vessel ligations and superficial skin (specifically facial lacerations).[6]

Braided polyester (polyfilament, Ethibond, Dagrofil, Synthofil, PremiCron, Synthofil)

  • Description: made from polyethylene terephthalate, there are various brands and configurations of this type of suture. Many are braided, coated in silicone and dyed for visibility.
  • Advantages/disadvantages: Good handling, good knot security and high tensile strength due to low tissue reactivity. However, this suture can create more tissue trauma when passing through the skin and is more expensive than its counterparts
  • Common use: Rare, pediatric valvular surgery,[10] alternative to surgical steel for orthopedic surgery due to superior handling.[11]

Polybutester (monofilament, Novafil)

  • Description: A copolymer of polyester.
  • Advantages/disadvantages: low tissue reactivity, good handling, high tensile strength that is greater than most other monofilaments, good elasticity during increasing edema.
  • Common use: rare, tendon repairs, plastics (pull out subcuticular stitch)[6]

Surgical steel

  • Description: synthetic mixture of multiple alloys.
  • Advantages/disadvantages: Tensile strength is exceptional with very little tissue reactivity, thus maintaining minimal degradation over time. This suture material has very poor handling.
  • Common use: orthopedics, sternum closure.[2]
During the first dressing, Redon's drain was removed and the sutures were checked (surgical suture)

Sizes

[edit]

Suture sizes are defined by the United States Pharmacopeia (U.S.P.). Sutures were originally manufactured ranging in size from #1 to #6, with #1 being the smallest. A #4 suture would be roughly the diameter of a tennis racquet string. The manufacturing techniques, derived at the beginning from the production of musical strings, did not allow thinner diameters. As the procedures improved, #0 was added to the suture diameters, and later, thinner and thinner threads were manufactured, which were identified as #00 (#2-0 or #2/0) to #000000 (#6-0 or #6/0).[citation needed]

Modern sutures range from #5 (heavy braided suture for orthopedics) to #11-0 (fine monofilament suture for ophthalmics). Atraumatic needles are manufactured in all shapes for most sizes. The actual diameter of thread for a given U.S.P. size differs depending on the suture material class.

USP
designation
Collagen
diameter (mm)
Synthetic absorbable
diameter (mm)
Non-absorbable
diameter (mm)
American
wire gauge
11-0 0.01
10-0 0.02 0.02 0.02
9-0 0.03 0.03 0.03
8-0 0.05 0.04 0.04
7-0 0.07 0.05 0.05
6-0 0.1 0.07 0.07 38–40
5-0 0.15 0.1 0.1 35–38
4-0 0.2 0.15 0.15 32–34
3-0 0.3 0.2 0.2 29–32
2-0 0.35 0.3 0.3 28
0 0.4 0.35 0.35 26–27
1 0.5 0.4 0.4 25–26
2 0.6 0.5 0.5 23–24
3 0.7 0.6 0.6 22
4 0.8 0.6 0.6 21–22
5 0.7 0.7 20–21
6 0.8 19–20
7 18

Techniques

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A wound before and after suture closure. The closure incorporates five simple interrupted sutures and one vertical mattress suture (center) at the apex of the wound.
Suturing two operation wounds with eleven simple stitches

Many different techniques exist. The most common is the simple interrupted stitch;[12] it is indeed the simplest to perform and is called "interrupted" because the suture thread is cut between each individual stitch. The vertical and horizontal mattress stitch are also interrupted but are more complex and specialized for everting the skin and distributing tension. The running or continuous stitch is quicker but risks failing if the suture is cut in just one place; the continuous locking stitch is in some ways a more secure version. The chest drain stitch and corner stitch are variations of the horizontal mattress.[citation needed]

Other stitches or suturing techniques include:

  • Purse-string suture, a continuous, circular inverting suture which is made to secure apposition of the edges of a surgical or traumatic wound.[13][14]
  • Figure-of-eight stitch
  • Subcuticular stitch. A continuous suture where the needle enters and exits the epidermis along the plane of the skin. This stitch is for approximating superficial skin edges and provides the best cosmetic result. Superficial gapping wounds may be reduced effectively by using continuous subcuticular sutures.[15] It is unclear whether subcuticular sutures can reduce the rate of surgical site infections.when compared with other suturing methods.[16]

Placement

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Sutures are placed by mounting a needle with attached suture into a needle holder. The needle point is pressed into the flesh, advanced along the trajectory of the needle's curve until it emerges, and pulled through. The trailing thread is then tied into a knot, usually a square knot or surgeon's knot. Ideally, sutures bring together the wound edges, without causing indenting or blanching of the skin,[17] since the blood supply may be impeded and thus increase infection and scarring.[18][19] Ideally, sutured skin rolls slightly outward from the wound (eversion), and the depth and width of the sutured flesh is roughly equal.[18] Placement varies based on the location,

Stitching interval and spacing

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Skin and other soft tissue can lengthen significantly under strain. To accommodate this lengthening, continuous stitches must have an adequate amount of slack. Jenkin's rule was the first research result in this area, showing that the then-typical use of a suture-length to wound-length ratio of 2:1 increased the risk of a burst wound, and suggesting a SL:WL ratio of 4:1 or more in abdominal wounds.[19][20] A later study suggested 6:1 as the optimal ratio in abdominal closure.[21]

Layers

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In contrast to single layer suturing, two layer suturing generally involves suturing at a deeper level of a tissue followed by another layer of suturing at a more superficial level. For example, Cesarean section can be performed with single or double layer suturing of the uterine incision.[22]

Removal

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Whereas some sutures are intended to be permanent, and others in specialized cases may be kept in place for an extended period of many weeks, as a rule sutures are a short-term device to allow healing of a trauma or wound.

Different parts of the body heal at different speeds. Common time to remove stitches will vary: facial wounds 3–5 days; scalp wound 7–10 days; limbs 10–14 days; joints 14 days; trunk of the body 7–10 days.[23][better source needed]

Removal of sutures is traditionally achieved by using forceps to hold the suture thread steady and pointed scalpel blades or scissors to cut. For practical reasons the two instruments (forceps and scissors) are available in a sterile kit. In certain countries (e.g. US), these kits are available in sterile disposable trays because of the high cost of cleaning and re-sterilization.

Expansions

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A pledgeted suture is one that is supported by a pledget, that is, a small flat non-absorbent pad normally composed of polytetrafluoroethylene, used as buttresses under sutures when there is a possibility of sutures tearing through tissue.[24]

Tissue adhesives

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Topical cyanoacrylate adhesives (closely related to super glue), have been used in combination with, or as an alternative to, sutures in wound closure. The adhesive remains liquid until exposed to water or water-containing substances/tissue, after which it cures (polymerizes) and forms a bond to the underlying surface. The tissue adhesive has been shown to act as a barrier to microbial penetration as long as the adhesive film remains intact. Limitations of tissue adhesives include contraindications to use near the eyes and a mild learning curve on correct usage. They are also unsuitable for oozing or potentially contaminated wounds.[citation needed]

In surgical incisions it does not work as well as sutures as the wounds often break open.[25]

Cyanoacrylate is the generic name for cyanoacrylate based fast-acting glues such as methyl-2-cyanoacrylate, ethyl-2-cyanoacrylate (commonly sold under trade names like Superglue and Krazy Glue) and n-butyl-cyanoacrylate. Skin glues like Indermil and Histoacryl were the first medical grade tissue adhesives to be used, and these are composed of n-butyl cyanoacrylate. These worked well but had the disadvantage of having to be stored in the refrigerator, were exothermic so they stung the patient, and the bond was brittle. Nowadays, the longer chain polymer, 2-octyl cyanoacrylate, is the preferred medical grade glue. It is available under various trade names, such as LiquiBand, SurgiSeal, FloraSeal, and Dermabond. These have the advantages of being more flexible, making a stronger bond, and being easier to use. The longer side chain types, for example octyl and butyl forms, also reduce tissue reaction.

History

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Sewing wound after herniotomy, 1559
Old refillable surgical thread supplier (middle of 20th century)

Through many millennia, various suture materials were used or proposed. Needles were made of bone or metals such as silver, copper, and aluminium bronze wire. Sutures were made of plant materials (flax, hemp and cotton) or animal material (hair, tendons, arteries, muscle strips and nerves, silk, and catgut).[citation needed]

The earliest reports of surgical suture date to 3000 BC in ancient Egypt, and the oldest known suture is in a mummy from 1100 BC. A detailed description of a wound suture and the suture materials used in it is by the Indian sage and physician Sushruta, written in 500 BC.[26] The Greek father of medicine, Hippocrates, described suture techniques, as did the later Roman Aulus Cornelius Celsus. The 2nd-century Roman physician Galen described sutures made of surgical gut or catgut.[27] In the 10th century, the catgut suture along with the surgery needle were used in operations by Abulcasis.[28][29] The gut suture was similar to that of strings for violins, guitars, and tennis racquets and it involved harvesting sheep or cow intestines. Catgut sometimes led to infection due to a lack of disinfection and sterilization of the material.[30]

Joseph Lister endorsed the routine sterilization of all suture threads. He first attempted sterilization with the 1860s "carbolic catgut", and chromic catgut followed two decades later. Sterile catgut was finally achieved in 1906 with iodine treatment.

The next great leap came in the twentieth century. The chemical industry drove production of the first synthetic thread in the early 1930s, which exploded into production of numerous absorbable and non-absorbable synthetics. The first synthetic absorbable was based on polyvinyl alcohol in 1931. Polyesters were developed in the 1950s, and later the process of radiation sterilization was established for catgut and polyester. Polyglycolic acid was discovered in the 1960s and implemented in the 1970s. Today, most sutures are made of synthetic polymer fibers. Silk and, rarely, gut sutures are the only materials still in use from ancient times. In fact, gut sutures have been banned in Europe and Japan owing to concerns regarding bovine spongiform encephalopathy. Silk suture is still used today, mainly to secure surgical drains.[31]

See also

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  • Alexis Carrel – French surgeon and biologist (1873–1944)
  • Barbed suture – Type of knotless surgical suture
  • Butterfly closure – Small self-adhesive medical dressing
  • Cheesewiring – Cutting of tissue by a taut element
  • Chitin – Long-chain polymer of a N-acetylglucosamine
  • Cyanoacrylate – Type of fast-acting adhesive
  • Knot – Method of fastening or securing linear materials
  • Ligature – Piece of thread (suture) tied around an anatomical structure
  • Outline of medicine – Overview of and topical guide to medicine
  • Sewing – Craft of fastening or attaching objects using stitches made with a needle and thread
  • Surgical staple – Staples used in surgery in place of sutures
  • Wound closure strip – Porous surgical tape used for closing small wounds

References

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  1. ^ a b Byrne, Miriam; Aly, Al (2019-03-14). "The Surgical Suture". Aesthetic Surgery Journal. 39 (Supp. 2): S67–S72. doi:10.1093/asj/sjz036. ISSN 1090-820X. PMID 30869751.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i Jeffrey M. Sutton; et al., eds. (2018). The Mont Reid surgical handbook. Philadelphia, PA. pp. 81–90. ISBN 978-0-323-53174-0. OCLC 1006511397.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  3. ^ Surgical Needle Guide Archived 2014-11-06 at the Wayback Machine from Novartis. Copyright 2005.
  4. ^ Shan R. Baker, ed. (2007). Local flaps in facial reconstruction. Mosby Elsevier. ISBN 978-0-323-03684-9. OCLC 489075341.
  5. ^ Lee, Alice; Stanley, Guy H. M.; Wade, Ryckie G.; Berwick, Daniele; Vinicombe, Victoria; Salence, Brogan K.; Musbahi, Esra; De Poli, Anderson R. C. S.; Savu, Mihaela; Batchelor, Jonathan M.; Abbott, Rachel A.; Gardiner, Matthew D.; Wernham, Aaron; Veitch, David; Ghaffar, S. A. (2023-02-08). "International, prospective cohort study comparing non-absorbable versus absorbable sutures for skin surgery: CANVAS service evaluation". British Journal of Surgery. 110 (4): 462–470. doi:10.1093/bjs/znad008. ISSN 0007-1323. PMID 36753053. Archived from the original on 27 March 2023.
  6. ^ a b c d e f g h Trott, Alexander (2012). Wounds and lacerations: emergency care and closure. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. ISBN 978-0-323-09132-9. OCLC 793588304.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  7. ^ Langley-Hobbs, S. J.; Demetriou, Jackie; Ladlow, Jane, eds. (2013). Feline soft tissue and general surgery. Edinburgh. ISBN 978-0-7020-5420-4. OCLC 865542682.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  8. ^ Singer, Adam J.; Hollander, Judd E.; Blumm, Robert M., eds. (2010). Skin and soft tissue injuries and infections: a practical evidence based guide. Shelton, Connecticut: People's Medical. ISBN 978-1-60795-201-5. OCLC 801407265.
  9. ^ Ducheyne, Paul; et al., eds. (2011). Comprehensive biomaterials. Amsterdam: Elsevier. ISBN 978-0-08-055294-1. OCLC 771916865.
  10. ^ Anderson, Robert H.; et al., eds. (2010). Paediatric cardiology. Philadelphia: Churchill Livingstone/Elsevier. ISBN 978-0-7020-3735-1. OCLC 460904281.
  11. ^ Wright, James G.; et al., eds. (2009). Evidence-based orthopaedics: the best answers to clinical questions. Philadelphia: Saunders/Elsevier. ISBN 978-1-4377-1113-4. OCLC 460904348.
  12. ^ Lammers, Richard L; Trott, Alexander T (2004). "Chapter 36: Methods of Wound Closure". In Roberts, James R; Hedges, Jerris R (eds.). Clinical Procedures in Emergency Medicine (4th ed.). Philadelphia: Saunders. p. 671. ISBN 978-0-7216-9760-4.
  13. ^ Dorland's Medical Dictionary for Health Consumers. Copyright 2007
  14. ^ Miller-Keane Encyclopedia & Dictionary of Medicine, Nursing, and Allied Health, Seventh Edition.
  15. ^ Gurusamy, Kurinchi Selvan; Toon, Clare D; Allen, Victoria B; Davidson, Brian R (2014-02-14). Cochrane Wounds Group (ed.). "Continuous versus interrupted skin sutures for non-obstetric surgery". Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. 2014 (2): CD010365. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD010365.pub2. PMC 10692401. PMID 24526375.
  16. ^ Goto, Saori; Sakamoto, Takashi; Ganeko, Riki; Hida, Koya; Furukawa, Toshi A; Sakai, Yoshiharu (2020-04-09). Cochrane Wounds Group (ed.). "Subcuticular sutures for skin closure in non-obstetric surgery". Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. 2020 (4): CD012124. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD012124.pub2. PMC 7144739. PMID 32271475.
  17. ^ Osterberg, B; Blomstedt, B (1979). "Effect of suture materials on bacterial survival in infected wounds: An experimental study". Acta Chir Scand. 145 (7): 431–4. PMID 539325.
  18. ^ a b Macht, SD; Krizek, TJ (1978). "Sutures and suturing - Current concepts". Journal of Oral Surgery. 36 (9): 710–2. PMID 355612.
  19. ^ a b Kirk, RM (1978). Basic Surgical Techniques. Edinburgh: Churchill Livingstone.
  20. ^ Grossman, JA (1982). "The repair of surface trauma". Emergency Medicine. 14: 220.
  21. ^ Varshney, S; Manek, P; Johnson, CD (September 1999). "Six-fold suture:wound length ratio for abdominal closure". Annals of the Royal College of Surgeons of England. 81 (5): 333–6. PMC 2503300. PMID 10645176.
  22. ^ Stark, M.; Chavkin, Y.; Kupfersztain, C.; Guedj, P.; Finkel, A. R. (1995). "Evaluation of combinations of procedures in cesarean section". International Journal of Gynecology & Obstetrics. 48 (3): 273–6. doi:10.1016/0020-7292(94)02306-J. PMID 7781869. S2CID 72559269.
  23. ^ "www.scribd.com". Archived from the original on 24 August 2013.
  24. ^ "Polytetrafluoroethylene Pledget".
  25. ^ Dumville, JC; Coulthard, P; Worthington, HV; Riley, P; Patel, N; Darcey, J; Esposito, M; van der Elst, M; van Waes, OJ (28 November 2014). "Tissue adhesives for closure of surgical incisions". The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. 2014 (11): CD004287. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD004287.pub4. PMC 10074547. PMID 25431843.
  26. ^ Mysore, Venkataram (2012-12-15). Acs(I) Textbook on Cutaneous and Aesthetic Surgery. Jaypee Brothers. pp. 125–126. ISBN 978-93-5090-591-3. Retrieved 25 January 2016.
  27. ^ Nutton, Vivian (2005-07-30). Ancient Medicine. Taylor & Francis US. ISBN 978-0-415-36848-3. Retrieved 21 November 2012.
  28. ^ Rooney, Anne (2009). The Story of Medicine. Arcturus. ISBN 978-1-84858-039-8.
  29. ^ Rakel, David; Rakel, Robert E. (2011). Textbook of Family Medicine E-Book. Elsevier Health Sciences. ISBN 978-1-4377-3567-3.
  30. ^ Chen, Hua; Wu, Kejian; Tang, Peifu; Zhang, Yixin; Fu, Zhongguo, eds. (2021). Tutorials in Suturing Techniques for Orthopedics. Springer Nature. p. 7. ISBN 978-981-336-330-4.
  31. ^ Rai, Anshul; Panneerselvam, Elavenil; Bonanthaya, Krishnamurthy; Manuel, Suvy; Kumar, Vinay V., eds. (2021). Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery for the Clinician. Springer Singapore. p. 231. ISBN 978-981-15-1346-6.
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Media related to Surgical suture at Wikimedia Commons