According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), every year, approximately 230,000 people in the United States get injuries that, in most cases, lead to death. Such patients need to be admitted to the emergency as soon as possible. There, the doctors work best to contain the bleeding followed by suturing the wounds. At this point, the role of a suture kit becomes significant. These suture kits have components that facilitate the stitching of the site of injury.
In this article, let us go one by one through the parts of a suture kit and learn what role each of the components plays while stitching wounds.
What is a Suture Kit?
A suture kit is a collection of medical items that are employed for the management of wounds during an emergency. It is also known as a comprehensive first aid kit as it is often considered an extension of the first aid assembly.
Components of a Suture Kit for Human Skin Stitching
Suture kits are of different natures depending on the facility in which they are to be used. For use at home, a simple suture kit with basic components is required. However, a medical suture kit is of a different type and has a number of items that are not needed in home settings. Overall, the following items are included in suture kits:
1. Absorbable and Non-Absorbable Sutures
When it comes to sutures, two different kinds of them are included in a suture kit. Their employment depends upon the depth and severity of the wound.
· The non-absorbable sutures are for wounds that are minor and thus are not deeper into the skin. These are prepared from polymer threading which depicts high durability which is why the suture lasts for up to 2 months. Once the wound has been healed, these non-absorbable sutures are removed using a suture removal kit.
· For wounds where the internal skin tissue is damaged, absorbable sutures are the best choice. Because of are made up of animal intestines, these sutures do not last for longer and are thus absorbed into the skin during the process of healing. Hence, the need for removing them is eliminated.
2. Suturing Needles
To stitch the suture into the skin, a needle is required. Like sutures, needles are also of two types:
· Cutting needles are employed when the wound is on the skin surface. These needles effectively perform skin puncturing leading to suturing of the site. Due to their sharpness, the sutured area looks neat and clean.
· The use of non-cutting needles is extensive when the wounds are deeper. These are the physician’s first choice when it comes to stitching subcutaneous tissues or organs.
3. Suturing Scissors
High-quality scissors are also added to the suture kits. These are primarily used for cutting the right size of the suture thread. Being made up of stainless steel, these suturing scissors are strong and durable. Moreover, their sharp blades allow quick and precise suture cutting. In addition, the grip of the scissors is strong, comfortable, as well as non-slip to ensure proper handling.
4. Surgical Forceps
Forceps are also an essential part of a suture kit. These are employed to hold the suture as well as the skin tissue during stitching. The curvature of their tips facilitates the firm holding subsequently enhancing precision. As the construction material is stainless steel, the longevity of these surgical forceps is guaranteed.
5. Scalpels
Scalpels in a suture kit allow the physician to remove the debris from the site of injury. This helps with limiting the risk of infections as the wound becomes clean. In addition, a scalpel can also be used to cut the tissue deeper to remove anything that has penetrated inside as a result of the accident or injury.
The medical students at the beginner’s level use scalpels for practicing incisions on the silicone sheets. This helps them develop skills that are useful for conducting surgeries in the future.
6. Surgical Needle Holder
A surgical needle holder is a device that is employed to hold the needle during the suturing process. As soon as the needle is connected to it, the holder secures it and thus facilitates positioning as well as movement. Usually, these needle holders are made up of stainless steel which ensures their durability.
7. Hemostats
Hemostats are also an essential part of a suture kit. These are shaped like a scissor but have blunt ends which can be either straight or curved. Their purpose is to hold the blood vessels during the suturing procedure so that bleeding can be controlled. In addition, smaller sutures can also be held using hemostat forceps. These can also be employed for conducting fine tissue dissection.
Suture Kit Components at Health Supply 770: Products and Specifications
Suture kits are employed for stitching human skin when it has been affected by either a superficial or a deeper wound. These suture kits are essential to have at homes, in hospitals, dental facilities, as well as in some clinical practices to deal with emergencies. Medical students and other healthcare professionals use them frequently during surgeries.
As these suture kits are essential among healthcare products, their instruments are manufactured by many reliable medical supply brands. These are marketed as a full set but the components can also be bought separately. The following section covers some of the suture kit components that are available at Health Supply 770 along with their prices and purchase links:
945B Suture 5-0 10” Nylon Monofilament C-6 Black 12/Box
$42.88
(12 pieces per box)
Product Details
945B Suture 5-0 10” nylon monofilament C-6 are of non-absorbable nature. These are not coated with any chemical substance and are single-use disposable. Their construction material is nylon which is smooth and has C-6 suture needles attached to them. The curvature of the needle is 3/8 circle and the length is up to 18 mm. These sutures come in black color with a length of 10 inches and size 5-0.
J & J Healthcare J496G Suture, Vicryl UD BR CT 4-0 18” PS2
$295.88
(12 pieces per box)
Product Details
J & J Healthcare J496G vicryl UD BR CT 4-0 18” PS2 sutures are ideal for use on soft tissues for the purpose of ligation. These are of absorbable nature and there is no need to remove these sutures once the wound has been healed. Their strength allows easy knot tying as well as knot security on the first throw.
These J & J Healthcare sutures are suitable for ophthalmic operations but not for neurological as well as cardiovascular tissues. In addition, their use in reproductive tract, orthopedic surgeries, as well as tissue/muscle approximation is well-established.
These J & J Healthcare J496G vicryl UD BR CT 4-0 18” PS2 sutures work best by holding the wound for up to 3 weeks. After this, the suture thread starts losing almost 50% of its tensile strength and becomes weak. Furthermore, the suture completely dissolves after 56 to 76 days of application.
4110 Dynarex Medicut Scalpels #10 BX10
$25.81
Product Details
4110 Dynarex Medicut Scalpels #10 BX10 are high quality surgical blades. These are prepared from stainless steel. These are sharp and offer precise cutting edges. Each of the Dynarex Medicut scalpels comes in individualized packaging to ensure sterility.
As these scalpels are single-use, they need to be disposed of immediately after surgery. Being latex-free, these scalpels are safe for use on patients who have extremely sensitive skin.
Covidien 8886442243 Novafil Monofilament Polybutester Suture, Reverse Cutting, Size 3-0, Blue, 18″, Needle C-14, 3/8 Circle, 1 dz/bx
$98.88
(1 dozen per box)
Product Details
Covidien 8886442243 Novafil monofilament polybutester sutures are easy to handle. Their elastic nature ensures complete flexibility while they are being employed during suturing. The construction material is polybutester fiber which has immense strength.
These sutures are dyed blue in color so that their visibility can be improved. These have suppleness, excellent knot-tying capacity, as well as property to fray resistance. Moreover, these sutures do not drag the tissues down after suturing which reduces the risk of pain, the opening of the stitches, etc.
These Covidien Novafil monofilament polybutester sutures are often employed for general soft tissue approximation as well as ligation. In this regard, these can be used during cardiovascular, neurological, as well as ophthalmic surgeries.
Covidien VLOCM0644 – SUTURE, V-LOC 90, 3-0, 9″, V20, 12/BX
$790.88
(12 pieces per box)
Product Details
Covidien VLOCM0644 V-LOC 90, 3-0, 9″, V20 sutures come with V-Loc wound closure devices which is a revolutionary system. It facilitates the closure of the wounded area without the need for knot-tying. Their dual-angle cut results in a superior anchoring barb in addition to optimizing the integrity of the strands.
The texture of these Covidien V-Loc sutures is smooth so applying them is easy and quick. However, these have strong threads which do not slip after application. As a result, the stitching does not open. The barbs which are designed to hold the soft tissues together are secure, fast, and effective on incisions.
Covidien VLOCL0614 – SUTURE, VLOC 180 ABS 3-0 GR 9 V-20, 12/BX
$480.88
(12 pieces per box)
Product Details
Covidien V-Loc L0614 VLOC 180 ABS 3-0 GR 9 V-20 sutures get absorbed into the wound after 180 days of application. These are composed of copolymers of glycolic acid and trimethylene carbonate. In addition, each piece is packed individually after sterilization with ethylene oxide to ensure sterilization.
Their application in soft tissue approximation is well-established. Their tensile strength reduces over time i.e. 80% after 7 days, 75% after 14 days, and 65% after 21 days of employment. The V-Loc technology locks the suture in place securely so that it does not become loose. This technology has been tested with the conventional knot system and has been proven equally effective if not superior.
*Note: The prices mentioned in the article are taken from our Health Supply 770 website. They may vary over time.
All the components of a suture kit mentioned in the article, along with many other medical supplies, can be ordered from Health Supply 770, a reliable name when it comes to medical products. They have a 30-day money-back guarantee and provide your products to you in the shortest possible time. Click the links given at the end of the article to check out the different components of the suture kit.
Bottom Line
To deal with the wounds, suturing is often required in which the sutures are used for knot tying the skin tissue. A suture kit is equipped with the necessary components which include scissors, scalpel, suturing thread, needles, needle holder, etc.
These components, when employed on the wound, help contain accidental skin incisions. Overall, these suture kits are durable and long-lasting in addition to being highly efficient in performance.
As suture kits are required in home settings, hospitals, as well as by medical students for practicing suturing, these need to be stocked up to deal with emergencies. In this regard, for ordering different components of a suture kit, reliable vendors like Health Supply 770 should be approached. They ensure the provision of quality products along with satisfactory services.
References
https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/accidental-injury.htm
PhD Scholar (Pharmaceutics), MPhil (Pharmaceutics), Pharm D, B. Sc.
Uzma Zafar is a dedicated and highly motivated pharmaceutical professional currently pursuing her PhD in Pharmaceutics at the Punjab University College of Pharmacy, University of the Punjab. With a comprehensive academic and research background, Uzma has consistently excelled in her studies, securing first division throughout her educational journey.
Uzma’s passion for the pharmaceutical field is evident from her active engagement during her Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D) program, where she not only mastered industrial techniques and clinical case studies but also delved into marketing strategies and management skills.
