Suture Material and Needles

Question 1

Suture material that doesn’t need to be removed and is digested and assimilated by the body during normal healing
Made from animal or synthetic sources

Answer 1

Absorbable

Question 2

Absorbable suture material that is produced from submucosal layers of sheep/hog intestines and is elastic and easy to handle
Plain and chromic

Answer 2

Surgical gut

Question 3

What type of surgical gut absorbs within 3-5 days?

Answer 3

Plain

Question 4

What type of surgical gut absorbs in 10-15 days and treated with acid salts to prolong absorption?

Answer 4

Chromic

Question 5

Absorbable suture that is synthetic and made of hydroxyacetic acid and causes less rxn than gut
Lasts 14-21 days
Ex: Dexon, Kendall

Answer 5

Polyglycolic Acid

Question 6

Degrades rapidly in an alkaline environment, dissolves faster in infected urine

Answer 6

Dexon and Vicryl

Question 7

Absorbable suture that is made from lactic and glycolic acid that lasts about 14-21 days
Ex: Vicryl, Ethicon

Answer 7

Polyglactin 910

Question 8

Absorbable suture made from glycoside/lactide copolymers and are multifilaments
Potential for bacterial wicking from braiding characteristics
Lasts 14-42 days, gone by 70
Ex: Kendall

Answer 8

Polysorb

Question 9

Absorbable suture material made from newer synthetic polyester materials that has less tissue drags during placement and possesses memory
Better for slow healing wounds and lasts about 180 days
Used for dog spays
Ex: PDS, Ethicon

Answer 9

Polydioxanone/Polyglyconate

Question 10

Absorbable suture material that is a monofilament and used where healing occurs more quickly
Used more commonly in replace of gut and lasts 7-14 days (gone by 90-120 days)
Used for cat spays
Ex: Monocryl, Ethicon, Biosyn, Kendall

Answer 10

Poliglecaprone and Glycomer 631

Question 11

Least expensive absorbable material

Answer 11

Gut

Question 12

What suture material can NOT be autoclaved?

Answer 12

Monocryl

Question 13

Suture material that is not absorbed or digested by body tissue and remains in tissue until removed

Answer 13

Nonabsorbable

Question 14

If nonabsorbable suture is left in tissue, it could become

Answer 14

encysted

Question 15

When should nonabsorbable sutures be removed?

Answer 15

7-14 days post op

Question 16

Pocket of serum from infx

Answer 16

seroma

Question 17

Type of nonabsorbable suture that is commonly used with cardiovascular sx in humans and can induce tissue rxn in animals
Serves as a point of origin for infx

Answer 17

Silk

Question 18

Type of nonabsorbable suture material that is made of natural fibers that increases in strength when wet
Limited use in vet med

Answer 18

Cotton and Linen

Question 19

Type of nonabsorbable suture material that is synthetic polymerized plastic that doesn’t cause tissue rxn and can last for several years (stiff and slippery)
Has significant memory
Ex: Nylon, Ethicon

Answer 19

Polyamide

Question 20

Type of nonabsorbable suture material of synthetic plastic similar to nylon
Doesn’t weaken over time and excellent for permanent suture support
Ex: Prolene, Ethicon, Surgipro, Ethicon, Flucrofil II

Answer 20

Polypropylene

Question 21

Type of nonabsorbable suture material that is synthetic and more elastic (can stretch and return to original length without breaking)
Useful for repairing ligaments and structures under motion

Ex: Novafil, Kendall

Answer 21

Polybutester

Question 22

Type of nonabsorbable suture material that is synthetic multifilament and requires 5-6 throws for knot security
Significant tissue drag and tissue rxn, can cause chronic infx and draining fistula

Ex: Mersiline, Tevdek, Polydek, Ethicon, Ti-cron, Kendall

Answer 22

Polyester Fibers

Question 23

Type of nonabsorbable suture material made from synthetic fibers coated with plastic-like material
High tensile strength, minimal tissue rxn, and the outer sheath of suture can often break
Never be used below skin level (causes fistula and infections)

Answer 23

Polymerized Caprolactum

Question 24

Nonabsorbable suture material made of stainless steel and useful for infx wounds or tissues that will be stressed in a slow healing process and pts that are active or have Hx of chewing out sutures
Can cause scarring and damage tissue
Can be autoclaved and is twisted instead of tied

Answer 24

Wire

Question 25

Suture material that is >0

Answer 25

Coarse

Question 26

Suture material that is <0

Answer 26

Fine

Question 27

Type of needle that is frequently used (reusable) and can be used with any suture type Comes in curved, straight, and any type of point Cons: Suture is threaded through the eye, creates bulk and possible tissue damage

Answer 27

Eyed Needles

Question 28

Type of needle that will not unthread itself and carries less bulk through the hole (atraumatic) Readily available, always sharp, and comes with suture material attached Cons: More expensive and can't be reused

Answer 28

Swaged/Swedged

Question 29

Faster and easier to use than hand suturing

Answer 29

Stapling

Question 30

Named by an abbreviation and their function | Number used after the name to indicate length of the row

Answer 30

Staples

Question 31

Type of staple that has a squeeze trigger and holds 25-35 staples Single row of staples that is used for skin and fascia closure Reusable

Answer 31

Surgical Skin Stapler

Question 32

Type of stapler that is one time use (comes prepackaged) and used for GI resection 4 rows of staggered staples and cuts between the middle 2 rows

Answer 32

Gastrointestinal Stapler (GIA)

Question 33

Type of stapler used the same way as GIA but used in lung resection Double or triple row

Answer 33

Thoracoabdominal stapler (TA)

Question 34

Type of stapler used for blood vessel ligation and places 2 staples on a vessel and cuts between them

Answer 34

Ligate-and-Divide Stapler (LDS)

Question 35

Needle body configuration driven through by hand and looks like a regular sewing needle

Answer 35

Straight

Question 36

Straight needles are AKA

Answer 36

Keith Straight

Question 37

Special needle with an eye in the point and requires special braided tubular suture Used for retaining a prolapsed vagina in large animals

Answer 37

Buhner Needle

Question 38

Needle that's a double curve design that goes through without pivoting wrist Holds heavy thread and used exclusively in large animal

Answer 38

S Curve

Question 39

Needle that uses needle holders to drive through the tissue and comes in many curvatures (hundreds of types)

Answer 39

Curved

Question 40

Most commonly used curved needle for general sx

Answer 40

3/8 and 1/2 circle

Question 41

Curved needle for ophthalmic sx

Answer 41

1/4 circle

Question 42

Needle point that is round all the way to the tip with gradual taper so it's atraumatic to tissues because it pushes apart tissue instead of cutting Uses: soft tissue, internal tissue, and SQ

Answer 42

Non-Cutting/Tapered

Question 43

Needle point in which the needle dissects through friable tissue without cutting and generally recommended for suturing Liver and Kidneys

Answer 43

Blunt-point

Question 44

``` Needle point (Triangle shape) that produces a cut out effect and shouldn't be used when an airtight or watertight suture line is required Used for skin or tougher tissue ```

Answer 44

Cutting

Question 45

``` Needle point (upside down triangle) that is less of a cut out effect and doesn't bend or break as easily as regular cutting needle Most preferred and same uses as regular cutting ```

Answer 45

Reverse Cutting (K needle)

Question 46

The number of throws placed for suturing

Answer 46

2-4

Question 47

Suture classification that directly opposes each other

Answer 47

Simple

Question 48

Suture classification that is designed to withstand added tension

Answer 48

Mattress

Question 49

Turns tissue outward, away from pt and toward the surgeon

Answer 49

Everting

Question 50

Turns the tissue toward the pt/ toward the lumen of hollow, viscous organ

Answer 50

Inverting

Question 51

Designed to bring tissues in direction apposition

Answer 51

Apposing

Question 52

Suture pattern used in skin, SQ, fascia, blood vessels, and GI Less strength than simple interrupted and has excessive tension that causes puckering and strangulation of tissue

Answer 52

Simple continuous

Question 53

Suture pattern used in skin, SQ, fascia, blood vessels, nerves, GI Provides secure closure and excessive tension that can cause inversion

Answer 53

Simple Interrupted

Question 54

Suture pattern used in skin and fascia and stronger closure than simple interrupted Resists tension and prevents eversion Faster to apply

Answer 54

Interrupted cruciate

Question 55

Suture pattern used in skin and diaphragm (large animals) | Similar to continuous but provides security if broken

Answer 55

Ford Interlocking

Question 56

Suture pattern used in skin, fascia, muscle, and tendon Commonly used to suture skin of cattle following rumenectomy Potential for strangulation

Answer 56

Horizontal Mattress

Question 57

Suture pattern used for the inversion of visceral stumps or securing "-ostomy" tubes Stump is held inverted as suture is tightened

Answer 57

Purse string

Question 58

Suture pattern used for manipulation or retraction of tissue | 2 or more are placed

Answer 58

Stray sutures

Question 59

Suture pattern where suture material is passed through the stump to be ligated around half of the stump then around the entire stump Prevents suture from slipping off the stump and prevent hemorrhage

Answer 59

Transfixation ligature

Question 60

Suture pattern used commonly for closing gut | Needle and suture penetrate serosa and muscularis but not mucosa

Answer 60

Lembert