Surgical sutures are medical threads used to hold tissues together after an injury or surgery, promoting healing and wound closure. They play a crucial role in various medical procedures, from minor cuts to complex surgeries.
Primary Uses of Surgical Sutures
- Wound Closure –
- Approximate skin, muscles, blood vessels, or internal organs after incisions or trauma.
- Promote proper healing by keeping wound edges together.
- Hemostasis (Bleeding Control) –
- Ligate (tie off) blood vessels to prevent bleeding.
- Anastomosis (Joining Tissues) –
- Reconnect tubular structures like intestines, blood vessels, or nerves.
- Support for Healing Tissues –
- Provide strength while natural healing occurs.
Types of Surgical Sutures
1. Absorbable vs. Non-Absorbable
- Absorbable Sutures – These break down naturally in the body over time (used for internal tissues).
- Examples: Polyglycolic acid (PGA), Polydioxanone (PDS), Catgut (collagen-based).
- Uses: Internal organs, muscles, subcutaneous layers.
- Non-absorbable sutures – Remain in place until manually removed (used for skin or high-tension areas).
- Examples: Nylon, Polypropylene (Prolene), Silk, Stainless steel.
- Uses: Skin closure, cardiovascular surgery, orthopedic repairs.
2. Natural vs. Synthetic
- Natural (e.g., Silk, Catgut) – Derived from animal or plant sources.
- Synthetic (e.g., Nylon, Polyester) – More consistent, less tissue reaction.
3. Monofilament vs. Multifilament (Braided)
- Monofilament – Single-stranded, smooth, less infection risk (e.g., Nylon, PDS).
- Multifilament – Braided, stronger but may harbor bacteria (e.g., Silk, Polyester).
Common Applications by Specialty
- General Surgery – Closing of abdominal incisions, bowel repairs.
- Orthopedics – Reattaching tendons, ligaments.
- Cardiovascular – Vessel anastomosis (e.g., coronary bypass).
- Obstetrics/Gynecology – Perineal tears, C-sections.
- Dermatology – Skin laceration repair.
Suture Selection Factors
- Tissue Type (skin vs. internal organs).
- Tension on Wound (high-tension areas need stronger sutures).
- Healing Time (absorbable vs. non-absorbable).
- Risk of Infection (monofilament preferred in contaminated wounds).