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→Suture Materials
==Suture Materials==
==Suture Materials==
There are several different ways of categorising suture material, which can seem confusing. ===Absorbable sutures===
There are several different ways of categorising suture material, which can seem confusing.They can be categorised into absorbable/non absorbable or braided/monofilaments
===Absorbable sutures===
Absorbable materials (E.G. catgut) are designed to be fully absorbed, and they begin to loose their tensile strength from the first day that they are used in surgery. The material is absorbed through phagocytosis or hydrolysis. Clearly it is important that the strength reduces at the same rate that the wound gains strength. Absorbable sutures commonly used for tissue closure prior to the closure of the skin layer. Some absorbable suture materials have antibacterial properties to aid with asepsis.
Absorbable materials (E.G. catgut) are designed to be fully absorbed, and they begin to loose their tensile strength from the first day that they are used in surgery. The material is absorbed through phagocytosis or hydrolysis. Clearly it is important that the strength reduces at the same rate that the wound gains strength. Absorbable sutures commonly used for tissue closure prior to the closure of the skin layer. Some absorbable suture materials have antibacterial properties to aid with asepsis.
===Braided sutures===
===Braided sutures===
Multifilament or braided suture materials are comprised of several strands of material twisted together and coated to give them greater handling characteristics with good knot security and reduced tissue drag. They are '''contra-indicated in contaminated or infected tisues''' as bacteria can easily become established within the braided material where they remain undeected by the immune system.
Multifilament or braided suture materials are comprised of several strands of material twisted together and coated to give them greater handling characteristics with good knot security and reduced tissue drag. They are '''contra-indicated in contaminated or infected tisues''' as bacteria can easily become established within the braided material where they remain undeected by the immune system.
==Suture Material sizes==
==Suture Material sizes==
Suture materials come in a variety of sizes and strengths. Use the smallest diameter that will adequately hold the tissue to minimise tissue trauma and reduce knot size whilst matching the strength of the suture material to the tissue.
Suture materials come in a variety of sizes and strengths. Use the smallest diameter that will adequately hold the tissue to minimise tissue trauma and reduce knot size whilst matching the strength of the suture material to the tissue.
There are several systems of sizing suture material; the '''metric system''' which indicates the diameter of the material, and the '''USP (United States Pharmacopeia) system''' which is more commonly used. With synthetic materials and catgut the USP system sizes these two classes of material differently; for example, 3-0 ‘Vicryl’ is the equivalent to 4-0 catgut in terms of the actual diameter of the suture material.
There are several systems of sizing suture material; the '''metric system''' which indicates the diameter of the material, and the '''USP (United States Pharmacopeia) system''' which is more commonly used. With synthetic materials and catgut the USP system sizes these two classes of material differently; for example, 3-0 ‘Vicryl’ is the equivalent to 4-0 catgut in terms of the actual diameter of the suture material.