Sutures
Revision as of 22:38, 5 February 2014 by Ostermayer (talk | contribs)
Chart
Area | Size | Type | Days to Removal |
---|---|---|---|
Scalp | Staples or 4-0 or 5-0 | non absorable | 7 |
Ear | 6-0 | non absorable | 5-7 |
Eyelid | 6-0 or 7-0 | absorable or nonabsorbable | 5-7 |
Eyebrow | 5-0 or 6-0 | absorable or nonabsorbable | 5-7 |
Nose | 6-0 | absorable or nonabsorbable | 5-7 |
Lip | 6-0 | absorable | NA |
Oral mucosa | 5-0 | absorable | NA |
Other face / forehead | 6-0 | absorable or nonabsorbable | 5 |
Chest/abdomen | 4-0 or 5-0 | non absorable | 12-14 |
Back | 4-0 or 5-0 | non absorable | 7-10 |
Extremities | 4-0 or 5-0 | non absorable | 7-10 |
Hand | 5-0 | non absorable | 7-10 |
Foot / Sole | 4-0 | non absorable | 12-14 |
Joint (Extensor) | 4-0 | non absorable | 10-14 |
Joint (Flexor) | 4-0 | non absorable | 7-10 |
Vagina | 4-0 | absorable | NA |
Penis | 5-0 | non absorable | 7-10 |
Scrotum | 5-0 | non absorable | 7-10 |
Note: consider use of Fast Absorbing Gut (5-0/6-0) on Ear, Eyelid, Eyebrow, Nose, Lip and Face if anticipated difficulty with suture removal
Suture Type | Days of Tensile Strength | Complete Absorption | Descriptions |
---|---|---|---|
Chromic Gut | 7-21 days | 90 days | Chromium treated to decrease tissue reactivity |
Vicryl (Polyglactin) | 21 days | 90 days | Synthetic |
Vicryl Rapid | 10 days | 42 days | Synthetic with radiation treatment for increased absorption |
Suture Type | Tensile Stength | Body Reactivity | Filliment |
---|---|---|---|
Nylon | High | Low | Monofilament |
Silk | Low | High | multifilament |
Prolene (Polypropylene) | Moderate | Low | Monofilament stiff |
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
- Use for deep sutures
- Never place if high risk for infection
- Good for hard to reach places (e.g. kid's mouth)
- Types
- Vicryl
- Lasts longer
- Chromic
- Faster, good for oral mucosa
- Vicryl
- Braided
- Stronger but higher infection risk
See Also
Source
Lampe
Cincinnati Children's Hospital "The Pocket"