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I just read the following statement from the ACS on blunt suture needles. Apparantly it's the official view of the ACS. Seems like a good idea to me, but I'm pretty sure I've never seen these things at my institution. The closest I've seen is surgeons clipping the point off needles themselves before they close. Do any of you use them? What are they like?
"Cuts or needle-stick injuries occur in 1% - 15% of operations. The most common cause of suture needle injury is suturing fascia, during which 59% of all suture needle injuries occur.
Blunt suture needles permit suturing of fascia and other structures with minimal risk of injuring the surgeon, even when the surgeon's glove is punctured. All published studies to date have demonstrated that the use of blunt suture needles can substantially reduce or eliminate needle-stick injuries from surgical needles.
The ACS supports the universal adoption of blunt suture needles as the first choice for fascial suturing to minimize or eliminate needle-stick injuries from surgical needles. Blunt suture needles should be available in various sizes and with a range of suture adequate for different surgical applications.
The ACS encourages further investigation of blunt suture needles for use in other surgical applications."
"Cuts or needle-stick injuries occur in 1% - 15% of operations. The most common cause of suture needle injury is suturing fascia, during which 59% of all suture needle injuries occur.
Blunt suture needles permit suturing of fascia and other structures with minimal risk of injuring the surgeon, even when the surgeon's glove is punctured. All published studies to date have demonstrated that the use of blunt suture needles can substantially reduce or eliminate needle-stick injuries from surgical needles.
The ACS supports the universal adoption of blunt suture needles as the first choice for fascial suturing to minimize or eliminate needle-stick injuries from surgical needles. Blunt suture needles should be available in various sizes and with a range of suture adequate for different surgical applications.
The ACS encourages further investigation of blunt suture needles for use in other surgical applications."
