How to Choose the Right Suture Kit for Different Medical Procedures

Suture kits are necessary items during surgeries to stitch the wounded tissue. In addition, medical students use these kits with suture pads to practice suturing in their initial years of medical school. However, different suture kits are composed of different types of components as the nature of the wound as well as the type of the surgery dictate their nature. Hence, for learning how to choose the right suture kit, one must keep in mind the available suture kit components along with their utilization. 

In this article, let us learn how to choose the right suture kit depending on the medical procedure to be conducted.

Choosing the Right Suture Kits for Medical and Dental Procedures

While learning how to choose the right suture kit for a procedure, the following factors must be considered:

Suture Pads

As suture kits have tools that are employed by medical students for practicing suturing, these kits include suture pads. These suture pads are made up of latex-free food-grade silicone which allows easy stitching. These high-quality suture pads have various types of cuts on them which resemble different kinds of skin incisions.

The pads for surgical suture kits are rectangular in shape while the dental suture pads are of the shape of our jaws. These can take up to 10 and 40 sutures respectively. Hence, while learning how to choose the right suture kit, one must make sure they have the right kind of suture pad as well

Suture Materials

Suture thread is one of the most important components when it comes to learning how to choose the right suture kit. This is the product that comes into direct contact with the skin tissue and holds it together to facilitate healing. To stitch the sutures on the wounds, curved needles are attached at the end of the threads.

While choosing a suture kit for wound closure, the construction material of the sutures must be checked. Man-made sutures are made up of nylon or synthetic polymers like polypropylene while natural sutures are silk or catgut-based.

In addition, non-absorbable and absorbable suture materials options are also available. All of these have different properties in terms of their tensile strength, elasticity, etc. These are usually made up of the following suture materials:

· Nylon monofilament  

· Silk braided thread

· Polyester braided thread

· Polypropylene monofilament

Among these, the braided sutures are employed for the wounds on the facial region or the hands while the monofilament sutures are ideal for soft tissue wounds or lacerations. The following table should be consulted for guidance while learning how to choose the right suture kit for certain surgeries:

Suture Thread Sizes

Different types of surgeries require different sizes of suture threads. The following table enlists the sizes as well as their respective uses:

Suturing Forceps

When learning how to choose the right suture kit, selecting suturing forceps is an important decision to make. While stitching a wound, the surgeon needs to hold and move the tissue. For this purpose, forceps are used. These hand the surgeon complete control over the wounded tissue as well as provide the opportunity to do stitching with precision and accuracy.

The most commonly employed suturing forceps are Adson forceps or tooth tweezers which are one of the top quality products. Hence, while understanding how to choose the right suture kit, one should also choose the forceps wisely as high-quality tweezers last for much longer than the cheaper ones.

Scalpel Blades

After learning how to choose the right suture kit and how to use it, the next essential thing is to know how to remove the sutures. When the applied sutures are of a non-absorbable type, there is a need to remove them after the wound has healed. For this purpose, scalpel blades come in handy. These are employed to cut the suture thread so that the stitches open easily.

Surgical Needles

Needles are employed to help the suture pass through the tissue. There is a vast variety of needles which have different shapes and sizes and have been given as follows:

Needle Holder

When it comes to understanding how to choose the right suture kit, the selection of needles and needle holders is an important factor. A needle holder is a scissor-like device with blunt end. It is employed to hold the needle firm during dental procedures. There are different kinds of needle holders which include the following:

· Mayo-Hegar Needle Holders

Generally, Mayo-Hegar needle holders are the products that are included in almost all the suture kits employed for humans as well as animals. These are known for their grip and wider jaws which can hold large-sized needles

· Olsen-Hegar Needle Holders

These needle holders can be used as suture scissors as well as needle drivers. Moreover, these can also be used to cut the suture thread with its cutting blades.

· Castroviejo Needle Holders

These needle holders come with fine tips and can hold smaller needles effectively. Their jaws can be opened easily during the surgery. These types of needle holders are often employed during dental procedures as well as eye operations in addition to other microsurgeries.

Iris Scissors

In case you are wondering how to choose the right suture kit, remember to look for the essential components like iris scissors which should be present in an ideal suture kit. As the name suggests, iris scissors are employed during eye surgeries.

These are made up of stainless steel and are specialized to handle delicate tissues of the eye. Nowadays, physicians also use these scissors for conducting plastic surgeries, neurosurgeries, as well as many other general surgeries.

Mosquito Hemostat

Halsted mosquito hemostatic forceps are specifically designed to provide a stronger grip on the tissues. These resemble the thin legs of a mosquito hence the name given to them. These forceps can be employed during multiple surgical procedures to control bleeding by clamping the blood vessels.  

All-in-One Case

As all of the above-mentioned instruments are to be kept safely in one place, an all-in-one carrying case is also provided with the suture kits. It has enough space to fit all the tools and is strong enough to protect them from damage due to pressure.

Suture Kit Components at Health Supply 770: Products and Specifications

While learning how to choose the right suture kit, it is essential to look into the components of these kits. The ideal suture kit for a procedure varies depending on the nature of the surgery, the type of the wound, as well as the location of the wound on the skin.

Due to the essentiality of these suture kits, many companies manufacture and market them. Hence, the following section covers some of the suture kit components that are available at Health Supply 770 along with their prices and purchase links. One must go through them while understanding how to choose the right suture kit.

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 synthetic sutures that are single-use. These are non-absorbable in nature and need to be removed manually after the healing tissues have fully recovered. The absorbable or non-absorbable nature of the sutures must be considered before learning how to choose the right suture kit.

Because of not coated with any chemical substance, these sutures are safe for the skin and thus do not cause hypersensitive reactions. The color of these sutures is black and their dimensions are 10 inches in length and 5-0 in size. The needle attached to the suture thread is 3/8 circle and has a length of 18 mm.

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 wounds that affect soft tissues. These absorbable sutures provide excellent knot ties which then become secure in place and do not loosen up within the coming weeks.

These J & J Healthcare sutures can be employed for eye operations, bone and joint surgeries, reproductive tract operations, as well as tissue/muscle approximation. However, these are not suitable for heart, vascular, as well as neurological surgeries. Hence, when it comes to learning how to choose the right suture kit, it is important to keep in mind the type of surgery to be performed with it.

These J & J Healthcare J496G vicryl UD BR CT 4-0 18” PS2 sutures hold the wound firmly for up to 3 weeks. After this time, these become weak and thus the tensile strength is reduced. However, for complete dissolution into the skin, a time period of up to 56 to 76 days is required.

4110 Dynarex Medicut Scalpels #10 BX10

$25.81

https://hs770.com/product/4110dynarex-medicut-scalpels-10-bx10

Product Details

4110 Dynarex Medicut Scalpels #10 BX10 are single-use/disposable surgical scalpels with good-quality surgical blades. These tools are prepared from stainless steel which means these can be sterilized again and again and thus will last longer. Due to their sharpness, these scalpels can be employed to achieve precision while making incisions.

These Dynarex Medicut scalpels are packed individually so that each piece remains sterile until the packaging is opened. Moreover, being single-use items, the cost of sterilization is saved. These are also free from natural rubber latex which makes them even safer for the patients and do not cause tissue reactivity. Hence, while learning how to choose the right suture kit, it is important to make sure that all the items are latex-free.

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 have high flexibility but still are easy to handle and employ. Their elasticity allows the surgeon to move the suture in different directions while handling during a procedure. Hence, when it comes to learning how to choose the right suture kit, the elasticity of the suture must also be considered.

The construction material is synthetic and strong enough to hold the skin together for longer. These Covidien sutures are blue in color so these can be identified easily. Moreover, these sutures also provide good knot security once the suturing is done.

Another excellent quality of these suture threads is that they do not let the skin tissue get dragged. As a result, the intensity of pain is reduced and patient comfort is enhanced. In addition, the risk of opening the stitches is also minimal. These Covidien Novafil monofilament polybutester sutures can be employed for neurological, cardiovascular, as well as ophthalmic procedures.

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 are known for their non-slip V-Loc wound closure technology. This technique eliminates the need for knot tying and the wound is secured because of the unique structure of the suture thread. The anchoring barb of these sutures are dual-angle cut which ensures security. Despite their unique design, these Covidien V-Loc sutures are easy to employ on different wound types.

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 are of an absorbable nature and take approximately 180 days to dissolve completely into the body. These are constructed using copolymers of glycolic acid and trimethylene carbonate. While learning how to choose the right suture kit, it is important to also look into the construction material of the sutures.

After manufacturing, these are subjected to sterilization. For this purpose, ethylene oxide gas is utilized followed by individualized packaging of each piece. These also employ V-Loc technology for securing the wound at its place with minimum to no risk of tearing. As for their tensile strength, it reduces over time i.e. 80% after 7 days, 75% after 14 days, and 65% after 21 days of stitching.

*Note: The prices mentioned in the article are taken from the 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

Suture kits are employed in medical and dental practice to stitch the wounds and thus close the ruptured tissues back again. There are several components of these suture kits which vary based on the type of wound, site of injury, as well as the severity of the condition. For this purpose, one needs to learn how to choose the right suture kit depending on the nature of the procedure at hand.

Considering the importance of suture kits in different fields as well as their employment for practice, it is best to grab the best ones from the US market. 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.

Uzma Zafar

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.