Surgical Care at the District Hospital
Part 1 2 3 4 5 6 Primary Trauma Care Manual
Fundamentals of Surgical Practice
The Surgical Patient
Approach to the surgical patient
The paediatric patient
Surgical Techniques
Tissue Handling
Suture and suture technique
Prophylaxis
Basic Surgical Procedures
Wound management
Specific lacerations and wounds
Burns
Foreign bodies
Cellulitis and abscess
Excision and biopsies
Suture and Suture Technique
 


> ABSORBABLE SUTURE
> NON-ABSORBABLE SUTURE
> NEEDLES
> KNOT TYING



ABSORBABLE SUTURE

A suture that degrades and loses its tensile strength within 60 days is generally considered to be absorbable.

Polyglycolic acid is the most popular suture material because it is absorbable and has long lasting tensile strength. It is an appropriate suture for abdominal closure. The absorption time for this suture is considered to be 60–90 days.

Catgut is pliable, is easy to handle and inexpensive. Chromic catgut lasts for 2–3 weeks and is used for ligatures and tissue suture. Do not use it for closing fascial layers of abdominal wounds, or in situations where prolonged support is needed. Plain catgut is absorbed in 5–7 days, and is therefore useful when healing is expected within this period. It is also useful for suturing mucous membranes or when it is not possible for the patient to return for skin suture removal.

> ABSORBABLE SUTURE
> NON-ABSORBABLE SUTURE
> NEEDLES
> KNOT TYING



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