Cutting needles?

[CBG23]

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So...I have been thinking more about the needles I use during procedures and specific points during procedures. I know the fundamental difference between cutting and reverse cutting needles, but was wondering when we ACTUALLY use cutting needles? It seems like anytime we do something on/ with skin, we always use a reverse cutting one. Also, given that RC ones are supposed to be stronger and less likely to cause tearing of suture through tissue, I cannot think of a reason when you would use a cutting needle over a RC one.

 

[DoctwoB]

To add another question, when/how did you learn all the needle name/numbers? With the exception of a few specific ones that I know because we use them frequently, I ask for taper or cutter, and bigger or smaller.

 

[dienekes88]

To add another question, when/how did you learn all the needle name/numbers? With the exception of a few specific ones that I know because we use them frequently, I ask for taper or cutter, and bigger or smaller.

A lot of the suture/needle choices are surgeon-dependent, so part of it will depend on you.

This is pretty much all I'm thinking about when I ask for a suture:
1/2 circle: RB < SH < CT in terms of size
3/8 circle: BV < C1 < BB in terms of size

With the numbers... The higher the number, the smaller the needle (generally speaking). CT2 is smaller than CT1. SH1 is smaller than SH.