Suture Terminology Flashcards

Questions and Answers

What is absorbable suture?

Suture material that is broken down and digested by the tissues (correct)

Suture material that does not break down in the body

Suture with a cutting edge

A technique of suturing with individual knots

What does it mean to approximate tissue?

To bring tissue together by sutures or other means.

What is a blunt needle used for?

Highly vascular organs like the liver (correct)

Suturing non-vascular organs

Cutting through tough tissue

Joining circular structures

What are bolsters used for?

To prevent retention sutures from cutting into the patient's skin. Signup and view all the answers

What is bone wax?

A pliable, waxy dough used to control capillary bleeding on the surface of the bone. Signup and view all the answers

What is the technique of continuous suture?

A method that uses one long strand of suture with no interruptions. Signup and view all the answers

What is control-release in sutures?

A suture-needle combination designed to release the suture easily. Signup and view all the answers

What defines a cutting needle?

A suture needle with a cutting edge along one side of the shaft. Signup and view all the answers

What is a double-armed suture?

A suture-needle combination with a needle at each end. Signup and view all the answers

What does interrupted suture refer to?

Placing individual sutures close together to bring tissue together. Signup and view all the answers

What is a keloid?

Excessive scar formation. Signup and view all the answers

What does it mean to ligate?

To place a loop or tie around a blood vessel or duct. Signup and view all the answers

What does 'memory' refer to in suture material?

The tendency of suture to recoil to its original shape. Signup and view all the answers

What defines a monofilament suture?

A suture made of a single fiber. Signup and view all the answers

What is a multifilament suture?

A braided or twisted suture. Signup and view all the answers

What describes nonabsorbable sutures?

Sutures that resist breakdown in the body. Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of the purse-string suture technique?

To pass a continuous strand around the circumference of a lumen and pull it tight. Signup and view all the answers

What are retention sutures?

Heavy, nonabsorbable sutures placed to give added strength to the closure. Signup and view all the answers

What does running suture mean?

Using one continuous suture strand for tissue approximation. Signup and view all the answers

What is a subcuticular (buried) suture?

A technique that hides sutures within the dermis with little or no visible scarring. Signup and view all the answers

What is a swage?

The area where the suture strand is fused to the needle. Signup and view all the answers

What is a taper cut needle used for?

For suturing dense fibrous connective tissue. Signup and view all the answers

What is a tapered needle?

A needle with a round body that tapers to a sharp point. Signup and view all the answers

What does tissue drag refer to?

Friction between the suture and the tissue. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Suture Terminology

Absorbable Suture: Material that is naturally broken down and digested by body tissues, eventually being absorbed.
Approximate: The process of bringing tissue edges together using sutures.
Blunt Needle: A curved, tapered needle with a blunt tip, ideal for suturing highly vascular organs like the liver.
Bolsters: Tubes used for retention sutures to prevent them from cutting into patients' skin.
Bone Wax: A pliable, waxy substance used to manage capillary bleeding from bone surfaces.
Continuous Suture: Technique utilizing one uninterrupted strand of suture to join tissue edges without individual knots.
Control-release: A specialized suture-needle combination that allows for easier suture release.
Cutting Needle: A needle with a cutting edge on one side for piercing tissue, commonly used on the outer curve.
Double-armed Suture: A combination with needles on both ends; used for connecting circular or tubular structures.
Interrupted Suture: Method of closing tissue by placing individual sutures in close proximity.
Keloid: Overproduction of scar tissue leading to cosmetic or functional issues.
Ligate: The act of placing a loop or tie around a blood vessel or duct to occlude it.
Memory: The characteristic of suture material that allows it to revert to its original shape when unwrapped.
Monofilament Suture: A type of suture made from a single fiber for reduced tissue drag.
Multifilament Suture: Made from multiple fibers, often braided or twisted for enhanced strength.
Nonabsorbable Sutures: Sutures that do not break down in the body, used for longer-term support.
Purse-string Suture: Technique that involves stitching around the opening of a lumen, which can be tightened like a drawstring.
Retention Sutures: Heavy, nonabsorbable sutures that reinforce closure by going through all tissue layers.
Running Suture: Continuous strand method for approximating tissues without interruption.
Subcuticular Suture: Technique for closing wounds beneath the skin's surface, leaving no visible sutures and minimal scarring.
Swage: The fused area of an atraumatic suture where the suture material attaches to the needle.
Taper Cut Needle: Needle type that features a reverse cutting edge, effective for suturing dense connective tissues.
Tapered Needle: A needle with a round shaft that tapers to a sharp tip, making it easy to puncture tissue.
Tissue Drag: The friction experienced between some suture materials and surrounding tissues, affecting ease of placement.

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Description

Test your knowledge of essential suture terminology with these flashcards. This quiz features key definitions related to absorbable sutures, blunt needles, and more. Perfect for medical students and professionals looking to enhance their understanding of surgical techniques.