By: md

md — Sun, 25 Mar 2012 21:48:41 +0000

Suture sizes are opposite the number sequence 3-0 is bigger than 4-0 faces need 5-0 or 6-0 preferably on a P3 needle (small and leaving a very small puncture) Proline and Ethilon suture are basically nylon fishing line. It is non absorbable. Vicryl is a synthetic absorbable that works well in mouths. Gut sutures are the old standard absorbable but cause some inflammation at the site.
Put the needle into the skin at a right angle- straight in, so that when you pull through underneath and come up through the other side, it everts the skin slightly. Example- Push the tips of the fingers of your hands together and push hard- notice how the tips of your fingers push up and the fleshy tips push into each other. That is what you want the edges of the cut to do. There should be a slight ridge along the cut when you are done. This puts the raw surfaces in contact with each other so healing can take place with some strength. Skin touching skin won’t hold much. Skin won’t grow to skin. Don’t pull the sutures too tight. It will strangle the tissue by cutting off the circulation. Just $.02 from an old er doc.

Comments on: Suturing Wounds When Necessary

By: md