Introduction to Sutures for Surgical Technology Students

Presenter: Mark Sowers

Key Concepts

• High-Class Terms: In medicine, technical terms such as 'sutures' are preferred over everyday terms like 'stitches'.

Types of Sutures

• Variety: Sutures come in various types and sizes, with doctors having personal preferences.

Suture Sizes

• Initial Sizes: Six standard sizes (0.43 mm to 0.79 mm) were labeled as sizes 1 to 6 (smallest to largest).
• Smaller Sizes: Innovations led to sizes smaller than 1, named in descending order as 0, 00, 000, etc., up to 11-0.
• Comparison: A 7-0 suture is approximately the diameter of human hair; 11-0 is much smaller.

Classification of Sutures

Absorbable vs Non-Absorbable

• Absorbable Sutures: Broken down by body enzymes; often used internally or where suture removal is difficult.
• Non-Absorbable Sutures: Permanent, used where long-term hold is required, e.g., arteries, tendons.

Monofilament vs Multifilament

• Monofilament: Single strand, smooth; good for infected areas or delicate tissues.
  • Has memory, may be difficult to knot.
• Multifilament: Braided strands; easier to handle and knot.
  • Not suitable for infections as they can harbor bacteria.

Common Suture Types

Absorbable Monofilament

• Examples: Monocryl, PDS, Plain Gut, Chromic Gut.

Non-Absorbable Monofilament

• Examples: Prolene, Gore-Tex, Surgical Steel.

Absorbable Multifilament

• Example: Vicryl (common, made of polyglactin 910).

Non-Absorbable Multifilament

• Examples: Ethibond, Silk.

Suture Materials

• Gut Sutures: Made from animal intestines, absorbable.
• Plastics: Modern sutures like Monocryl are synthetic and have similar properties to traditional materials.

Suture Needles

Types of Needles

• Taper Point: Round with a sharp point, similar to a sewing needle.
• Blunt Point: For soft, friable tissues.
• Cutting Needles: Triangular with edges for tough tissues.
  • Conventional Cutting: Blade on inside curve.
  • Reverse Cutting: Blade on outside curve to prevent tearing.

Suture Packaging

• Labeling Information: Includes size, type, needle, length, and expiration date.

Conclusion

• Learning Sutures: Continuous process beyond coursework; practical experience in clinical settings.
• Recommendation: Understand main suture categories and needle types for foundational knowledge.

These notes provide a high-level summary of key points from the lecture on sutures, serving as a study aid.