Learning different types of sutures

[JulianCrane]

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Anyone know of a good way to learn the different types of sutures? Like, when do you learn how to use chromic gut vs. biosyn or even what size you wanna use?

 

[Winged Scapula]

You can start here:

http://www.jnjgateway.com/public/USENG/Ethicon_WCM_042007.pdf

(they also have a Knot Tying manual there)

 

[Blade28]

It helps to break it down into broad categories:

Monofilament vs. braided
Permanent vs. absorbable

If you were a med student here I'd give my pre-packaged suture lecture to you. 🙂

 

[AmoryBlaine]

For our general surgery friends suture choice is a world unto itself. If you're talking about closing simple lacs it's very easy.

Deep sutures = vicryl
Skin sutures = nylon

Trunk = 4.0
Extrem = 5.0
Face = 6.0

High tension wound = vertical mattress
Inverted wound edges = horizontal mattress

I follow these simple rules in the ED and have gotten along just fine.

 

[Pons Asinorum]

There are different types of sutures which are used for different surgical purposes.The purpose differ from the types of wounds and surgical situations. I have gone through several suture articles. This slide explaining the types of suture really helped me. http://sutures.in/blog/types-of-surgicalsutures/ Hope if you liked it 🙂

Look at the date the question you are answering was asked. The OP is an attending by now.