The Different Types of Surgical Sutures and How They Work

Surgeries are procedures conducted to cure or alleviate a patient's medical condition. They are often performed as a last resort when all other medical interventions have failed and the patient's quality of life is severely affected. Surgeries are an essential part of modern medicine, and they have saved countless lives and improved the health of millions of people worldwide.

Sutures are essential tools in the field of surgery. They are used to close wounds and incisions, prevent bleeding, and reduce the risk of infection. Without sutures, many surgical procedures would be impossible, and the risk of complications would be much higher. Sutures are made from various materials, each with unique properties and advantages. While the concept of sutures is easy to understand, it goes deeper than one might realize. For this reason, we will discuss the details in this article.

What Are Sutures?

Sutures can be made from natural or synthetic materials and come in various shapes and sizes. Moreover, depending on the material used, sutures can be absorbable or non-absorbable. Absorbable sutures are designed to break down naturally in the body over time, while non-absorbable sutures must be removed manually once the wound has healed.

The different types of suture materials are as follows:

Gut

Gut sutures typically comprise purified connective tissue, such as collagen, derived from sheep or cows' intestines. These sutures are absorbable and commonly used to close incisions in internal organs, such as the stomach or intestines.

Poliglecaprone

Poliglecaprone, or MONOCRYL, is a synthetic monofilament suture made from a glycolide copolymer and epsilon-caprolactone. It is an absorbable suture for closing wounds requiring moderate tissue support, such as skin or subcutaneous tissue. The body typically absorbs them within 90-120 days.

Polydioxanone (PDS)

Polydioxanone sutures are synthetic absorbable sutures that break down in the body over time. They are often used in surgeries that require sutures that will dissolve on their own, such as those involving the skin or subcutaneous tissues.

Polyglactin (Vicryl)

Polyglactin sutures are synthetic absorbable sutures that break down in the body over time. They are often used in surgeries that require sutures that will dissolve on their own, such as those involving the skin or subcutaneous tissues.

For non-absorbent suture materials, here are some of them:

Nylon

Nylon sutures are non-absorbable sutures that must be removed manually once the wound has healed. They are often used in surgeries involving skin or soft tissues, such as the face or hands.

Polypropylene (Prolene)

Polypropylene sutures are non-absorbable sutures that must be removed manually once the wound has healed. They are often used in surgeries that require sutures that will remain in place for an extended period, such as those involving the gastrointestinal tract.

Polyester (Ethibond)

Polyester sutures are non-absorbable sutures that must be removed manually once the wound has healed. They are often used in surgeries that require sutures that will remain in place for an extended period, such as those involving the gastrointestinal tract.

Silk

Silk sutures are non-absorbable sutures that must be removed manually once the wound has healed. They are often used in surgeries that involve delicate tissues, such as those in the eyes or ears.

Suture Techniques

There are different suture techniques used to ensure their effectiveness during a procedure. These include:

Buried Sutures

Buried sutures close deep wounds that cannot be closed with surface sutures alone. These sutures are placed beneath the skin's surface, and they help hold the wound edges together while the skin heals.

Continuous Sutures

Continuous sutures are used to close wounds that are long and straight. These sutures are placed in a continuous line along the length of the wound and help hold the wound edges together while the skin heals.

Deep Sutures

Deep sutures close deep wounds that cannot be closed with surface sutures alone. These sutures are placed beneath the skin's surface, and they help hold the wound edges together while the skin heals.

Interrupted Sutures

Interrupted sutures close short wounds that do not require continuous sutures. These sutures are placed individually along the length of the wound and help hold the wound edges together while the skin heals.

Purse-String Sutures

Purse-string sutures are used to close wounds that are circular or oval. These sutures are placed in a circular pattern around the wound and help draw the wound edges together while the skin heals.

Subcutaneous Sutures

Subcutaneous sutures close deep wounds that cannot be closed with surface sutures alone. These sutures are placed beneath the skin's surface, and they help hold the wound edges together while the skin heals.

Proper Suture Removal

Proper suture removal is essential to ensure the wound heals properly and reduces the risk of complications. Sutures should be removed once the wound has healed and the skin is strong enough to hold together without sutures. Sutures should be removed gently using sterile instruments, and the wound should be cleaned and dressed after the sutures have been removed.

However, there are instances where you must return to your doctor if you experience any of the following:

• The wound becomes red, swollen, or painful.
• The wound starts to bleed excessively.
• You notice any signs of infection, such as pus or a foul odour.
• The wound fails to heal after the sutures have been removed.

In these cases, your doctor may need to take further action to treat the wound and prevent complications from arising. You must follow your doctor's instructions carefully and seek medical attention if you have any concerns about your wound healing properly.

Conclusion

Sutures are fundamental surgical tools because they allow for the closure of wounds and promote healing. To this end, one must properly care for their sutures and keep the wound clean to prevent infection and complications, especially if the wound is large or deep. If the wound does not heal properly after removing the sutures, seeking medical attention is crucial to prevent further problems.

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