Surgical Sutures Overview

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Questions and Answers

What characteristic distinguishes Sofsilk from Stainless Steel sutures?

  • Sofsilk is extremely strong.
  • Sofsilk is a natural source, while Stainless Steel is synthetic. (correct)
  • Sofsilk has excellent tissue passage.
  • Sofsilk is monofilament.

Which type of suture needle requires the suture to be threaded through it?

  • French eyed needle
  • Blunt needle
  • Swaged needle
  • Eyed needle (correct)

What is a key advantage of swaged needles over eyed needles?

  • They are less traumatic to tissues. (correct)
  • They can pierce tough tissues more effectively.
  • They are stronger and less flexible.
  • They have a larger eye for easier threading.

Which suture type has poor knot security?

<p>Prolene/Surgipro (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What type of needle point is most suitable for tough and dense tissues?

<p>Cutting needle (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a characteristic of Vicryl/Polysorb sutures?

<p>Synthetic, braided (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements is true about monofilament sutures?

<p>They have lower reactivity compared to braided sutures. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which suture type is described as excellent for knot security and has low reactivity?

<p>Nurolon/Surgilon (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which suture type provides excellent tissue passage and knot security?

<p>Monocryl/Biosyn sutures (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which characteristic is not associated with Stainless Steel sutures?

<p>Excellent tissue passage (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a primary use for nonabsorbable sutures?

<p>Ideal for skin closure due to easy removal (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which suture type is coated to reduce tissue drag?

<p>Dexon (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In which scenarios are nonabsorbable sutures contraindicated?

<p>Urinary tract repairs (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What kind of sutures are Maxon/PDS classified as?

<p>Monofilament, synthetic (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following sutures offers an excellent replacement for gut products?

<p>Caprosyn (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is true about nonabsorbable sutures?

<p>They are encapsulated in the surrounding tissue. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of a suture?

<p>To repair or re-approximate tissues (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Why have swaged sutures become preferred over traditional sutures that require passing through the needle's eye?

<p>They reduce the risk of sharps injury. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which characteristic is NOT considered a preferred property of suture materials?

<p>Causes significant tissue reaction (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 'ligature' refer to in relation to sutures?

<p>A strand of suture used to occlude a vessel (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which factor is NOT typically considered when selecting suture material?

<p>Cost of materials (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is an advantage of high tensile strength in suture materials?

<p>It helps the suture hold securely when knotted. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does the size of a suture refer to?

<p>The diameter or gauge of the suture (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is an essential practice to prevent needle stick or sharp injuries?

<p>Properly disposing of needles in sharps containers (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary reason for using a blunt needle in surgical procedures?

<p>To minimize tissue tearing during biopsy (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What must be considered when a surgeon asks for a suture?

<p>Size, type, and needle (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which type of needle is known for being attached to a suture material?

<p>Swaged needle (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

When loading a suture needle on a needle driver, where should the driver be clamped?

<p>1/3 distance distal from the needle's shaft (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a key difference between braided and monofilament sutures?

<p>Monofilament sutures have one single strand while braided sutures have multiple fibers (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a necessary step before using any suture and needle in a surgical setting?

<p>Assess for completeness and functionality (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What indicates the expiry date for a suture if only the manufactured date is provided?

<p>5 years from the manufactured date (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What type of needle is referred to as closed eyed or spring eyed?

<p>Eyed needle (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of absorbable sutures?

<p>Can be reused after sterilization (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which pairs of suture names represent the same material produced by different manufacturers?

<p>Chromic and Plain Gut (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What action should be avoided when manually straightening a suture?

<p>Running gloved hands along the suture (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What must be done immediately after removing Chromic sutures from their package?

<p>Use them without delay (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Why should the point of the needle not be touched with gloved hands?

<p>To prevent risk of injury (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What should be done upon the return of the suture needle to the surgeon?

<p>Guard it to prevent sharps injury (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which suture material is considered a synthetic absorbable suture?

<p>Polysorb (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What component of sutures must perioperative nurses be able to read and understand?

<p>Suture package characteristics (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

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Study Notes

Sutures and their Applications

  • Sutures are materials used for tissue repair and wound healing, also known as ligatures when specifically occluding vessels.
  • Historically, sutures were threaded through needles by scrub nurses; now, most are swaged, reducing the risk of sharps injuries.
  • Key factors affecting suture selection include tissue type, operation specifics, patient condition, infection risk, and surgeon preference.

Suture Characteristics

  • Preferred sutures are sterile, versatile, minimally traumatic, handle easily, secure well when knotted, possess high tensile strength, exhibit favorable absorption profiles, and resist infection.
  • Suture size, measured as diameter or gauge, is visible on packaging alongside expiry dates (typically five years from manufacturing).

Types of Suture Materials

  • Absorbable Sutures:

    • Flexible strands derived from collagen or synthetic polymers, absorbed by the body.
    • Common types: Surgical gut (Chromic), Vicryl (Ethicon), Polysorb (Covidien), Dexon.
  • Non-absorbable Sutures:

    • Material resists enzymatic digestion and is not metabolized by the body.
    • Common types: Silk (Sofsilk), Nylon (Monosof), Polypropylene (Prolene), stainless steel.

Absorbable Suture Details

  • Surgical gut can be natural (bovine-based, requires immediate use upon opening).
  • Synthetic types include Vicryl (braided, good knot security) and Monocryl (monofilament, excellent tissue passage).

Non-absorbable Suture Details

  • Silk is high-reactivity not for infected areas; stainless steel provides extreme strength with poor tissue passage.
  • Non-absorbable sutures are ideal for skin closure and long-term tissue repair due to higher healing time.

Suture Needles

  • Understanding needle anatomy is crucial: point (sharp end), swage (connection of suture and needle), body (shaft).
  • Types of needles include eyed, French eyed, and swaged (most common).
  • Needle points vary: taper (rounded), cutting (sharp edges for tough tissue), and blunt (safe for delicate organs).

Threading and Loading Sutures

  • Free needles can be threaded manually; swaged needles require no threading.
  • Check needles and sutures for completeness and functionality prior to use.
  • Manual straightening of certain suture types is necessary before needle loading to prevent fraying.

Safety and Best Practices

  • Always guard the return of needles and pass forceps to the surgeon's non-dominant hand during suturing to minimize injury risks.
  • Prepare straight mayo scissors for suture cutting post-knotting to maintain a smooth surgical workflow.

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