Sutures

Chart

Area	Size	Removal
scalp	4o,5o	5-8 days
face	5o,6o	3-5 days
chest/abd	3o,4o	7-10 days
back	3o,4o	12-14 days
upper extrem	4o,5o	8-10 days
lower extrem	3o,4o	8-12 days
foot	3o,4o	10-12 days
joint/extensor surface	3o,4o	10-14 days
joint/felxor surface	4o,5o	8-10 days

+2-3 days for elderly

Technique

• Horizontal Mattress
  • Spreads tension over wound
  • Useful for high tension wounds
• Vertical Mattress
  • Great for wound eversion, closure of both sup and deep layers: contraindication to deeps

• Types
  • Absorbable for deeps
    • Never if high risk for infection
    • Good for hard to reach places (kid's mouth)
  • Vicryl
  • Lasts longer
  • Chromic
    • Faster, good for oral mucosa
  • Braided
    • Stronger but higher infection risk

See Also

Trauma: laceration repair

Source

Lampe