- Minimize trauma in skin handling
- Gentle apposition with slight eversion of wound edges
- Make yourself comfortable
- Adjust the chair and the light
Types
Simple Interrupted SuturingZ
The trick to an instrument tie
- Always place the suture holder parallel to the wound’s direction.
- Hold the longer side of the suture (with the needle) and wrap OVER the suture holder.
- With each tie, move your suture-holding hand to the OTHER side.
- By always wrapping OVER and moving the hand to the OTHER side = square knots!!
Suturing - finishing
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After sutures placed, clean the site with normal saline.
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Apply a small amount of Bacitracin or white petroleum and cover with a sterile non-adherent compression dressing (Tefla).
Suture Removal
Average time frame is 7 – 10 days
- FACE: 3 – 5 d
- NECK: 5 – 7 d
- SCALP: 7 – 12 days
- UPPER EXTREMITY, TRUNK: 10 – 14 days
- LOWER EXTREMITY: 14 – 28 days
- SOLES, PALMS, BACK OR OVER JOINTS: 10 days
Any suture with pus or signs of infections should be removed immediately.
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Clean the wound to remove any crusting or dried blood
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Using the forceps, grasp the knot and snip the suture below the knot, close to the skin
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Pull the suture line through the tissue- in the direction that keeps the wound closed.