Suture Removal Scissors: Proper Handling and Sterilization
Sutures are absorbable or non-absorbable medical threads used for sewing the open wounds. In case of non-absorbable sutures, there is a need to remove the stitches once the wound or incision has healed. To do so, sterile medical kits are employed that contain suture removal scissors, forceps, bandages, as well as other essentials.
Stitching of the wounds or incisions is necessary after a surgical procedure to heal the area
In this article, we will learn about the proper handling and sterilization of suture removal scissors. In addition, some of the well-known suture brands have also been linked for the reader’s convenience.
What are Suture Removal Scissors?
Suture removal scissors, also known as stitch scissors or suture scissors, are the tools used for cutting the non-absorbable sutures from the wounded or incised area once the healing is complete. These come in different forms, some of which are named as follows:
- Standard stitch scissors
- Spencer stitch scissors
- Littauer scissors
- Heath’s suture removal scissors
- Castroviejo suture removal scissors
In some cases, the suture removal scissors used for a procedure are single-use and can be discarded after one application. However, if the instruments are reusable, there is a need to properly handle and clean them to ensure their efficacy during future applications.
Suture Removal Scissors: Proper Handling
When it comes to handling the suture removal scissors, the given tips and instructions should be kept in mind and enacted upon:
Immediate Cleaning After Every Use
The first and most important handling instruction for suture removal scissors is to clean them immediately after use. In this regard, rinsing them under warm water is recommended. This is helpful as warm water removes gross blood, fluids, or tissues from the instrument.
Deep Cleaning
Deep cleaning of the suture removal scissors is done once the instrument has been thoroughly rinsed. For this purpose, a mild, medical detergent is applied on the scissors with the help of a soft brush. It should be ensured that all parts of the instrument, including joints, hinges, and blades, get a good and thorough cleaning so that any rust or microbes trapped in these areas can be removed.
Rinsing
Now, when all parts of the suture removal scissors have been brushed, they are rinsed under a low stream of water to wash off the detergent.
Disinfection
If the suture removal scissors are immediately put into sterilization after cleaning, there is no need to disinfect them. However, disinfection becomes necessary when sterilization is not possible. To do so, cleaning the suture removal scissors with alcohol wipes containing 70% isopropyl alcohol is the standard method. The process should be continued for at least 30 seconds.
For a high-level disinfection, the suture removal scissors can also be submerged into stronger disinfectants, such as a 1:100 dilution of hypochlorite solution. This becomes particularly necessary if the instruments have blood on them.
In this case, the contact time or submerge time depends on the manufacturer’s recommendations. Once the disinfection is done, rinse the suture removal scissors once again and let them air dry by placing them on a clean cloth.
Sutures do not increase the risk of infections due to their sterile nature
Sterilization of Suture Removal Scissors
Sterilization of the suture removal scissors ensures that there are no microbes present on the instruments that can get transferred from one patient to another, resulting in an infection. There are several methods which can be adopted for sterilizing the suture removal scissors, some of which are as follows:
Autoclaving
Autoclaving is one of the most common methods of sterilization for suture removal scissors, especially for those instruments that are constructed using high-grade stainless steel. Being a gold standard of achieving sterility, autoclaving ensures that the products become completely free from microbes, while remaining efficient in their usage.
When it comes to autoclaving suture removal scissors, the parameters for the process should be set according to the manufacturer’s specifications.
Chemical Sterilization
Another method widely used for the sterilization of suture removal scissors is chemical sterilization. The process requires cleaning of the instruments with soapy water, followed by their submerging into either 2% glutaraldehyde for 10 hours or 70% isopropyl alcohol for 30 seconds.
Keep in mind that if autoclaving is available, chemical sterilization should not be preferred as the method is known to harm the instruments when performed over and over again.
Ultrasonic Cleaning
Ultrasonic cleaning is one of the most recommended methods for the sterilization of suture removal scissors. This is because the method is highly effective when it comes to removing blood and protein residues from the tools.
The process involves cleaning the suture removal scissors with cold water immediately after use. The purpose of using cold water is that it washes away proteins instead of coagulating them, as in the case of hot water rinsing. This way, uncoagulated proteins are easier to clean.
Meanwhile, the ultrasonic cleaner is filled with deionized water as well as a suitable enzymatic or neutral-pH cleaning solution. The suture removal scissors are put into the machine in a way that they are fully submerged in the solution. Within 5 to 10 minutes, sterilization is done. The instruments are then cleaned and dried.
Post-Sterilization Treatment
Once the suture removal scissors have been cleaned and sterilized, the following measures should also be taken to ensure efficient usage:
- To prevent the instruments from rusting and corroding, it is important to let them air dry completely before storage. If air drying is too slow, using a drying cycle in a machine is also an option.
- A medical-grade lubricant should also be applied to the joints of the instrument so that they keep operating smoothly and remain protected from rust.
- The sterile suture removal scissors should be packed in a protective case and stored in a clean and dry environment where the risk of physical damage and contamination is minimal.
- It is also advised to keep on checking the instruments to ensure that they are sharp and well-protected from corrosion.
Suturing of the tissues after incision helps close the wounds effectively
Sutures and Related Products at Health Supply 770: Features and Specifications
Sutures are medical threads used for stitching the wounded or incised areas to promote healing over time. These come in both absorbable and non-absorbable forms. As the name suggests, the absorbable ones get dissolved in the skin, while non-absorbable sutures need removal after a few weeks.
However, when it comes to learning about suture removal scissors, it is also essential to look into some of the wound care products that many brands manufacture. Some of these well-known brands of sutures and related products are also available at Health Supply 770 and have been detailed below, along with their features and purchase links:
Dynarex IMC-4521 Suture Removal Kit, Sterile, 50/Cs
US$ 41.88
Product Details
Dynarex IMC-4521 suture removal kit is a collection of sterile products used for removing stitches from the site of injury or incision once the healing process has been completed. It contains stainless steel instruments, including a precision-guided scissor, a suture removal forceps, and a sterile drape. All the components are easy to use owing to their ergonomic handles.
In addition, these Dynarex IMC-4521 suture removal kits have a user-friendly design that maintains the sterility of all medical instruments. The product is suitable for use by nurses, physicians, and medical assistants in clinics, medical practices, and hospitals.
Cardinal Health Suture Removal Tray 06-7100
cardinal-health-suture-removal-tray-06-7100
Product Details
Cardinal Health suture removal tray is a sterile, pre-packaged product that has been designed for the removal of sutures from the site of wound or incision. The kit contains a 4.5-inch straight iris scissor that comes with a tip protector. In addition, a 4.75-inch serrated Adson forceps is also provided for lifting and removing the cut suture.
In addition, these Cardinal Health suture removal trays are single-use items that are sterile and, therefore, do not pose a risk of infection.
Suture Removal Kit McKesson 240P 50/CS
Exercise Resistance Band McKesson CanDo
Product Details
Suture removal kits by McKesson contain one metal Littauer scissor that has a length of 4.5 inches and one woven gauze with dimensions 3” x 3” (12-Ply). In addition, the product also comes with one metal thumb forceps that is 4 inches in length.
As these suture removal kits by McKesson are sterile, they do not pose the risk of infection transfer to the patient which can lead to worsening of the wound condition and, in some cases, delayed healing. Moreover, the product is also free from natural rubber latex and, therefore, it does not cause allergies to patients.
Covidien VLOCM0644 V-Loc 90 and 180 Sutures
(12 pieces per box)
https://hs770.com/product/covidien-vlocm0644-suture-v-loc-90-3-0-9-v20-12-bx/
(12 pieces per box)
https://hs770.com/product/covidien-vlocl0614-suture-vloc-180-abs-3-0-gr-9-v-20-12-bx/
Product Details
Covidien VLOCM0644 V-Loc 90 and 180 non-slip sutures are sterile threads used for tying open wounds or incisions. These come with a higher wound-holding capacity and, therefore, do not let the wound to open accidently during the healing process. Additionally, the product is soft and smooth in texture, a feature that ensures patient comfort during and after stitching.
Moreover, these Covidien VLOCM0644 V-Loc 90 and 180 non-slip sutures also have a V-Loc system, along with a dual-angle cut that does not let the thread slip during the suturing. When it comes to their usage, these non-slip sutures are widely employed for ligating the wounds affecting soft tissues.
Covidien VLOCL0614 – SUTURE, VLOC 180 ABS 3-0 GR 9 V-20, 12/BX
(12 pieces per box)
Product Details
Covidien V-Loc L0614 VLOC 180 ABS 3-0 GR 9 V-20 sutures are absorbable products that eliminate the need for suture removal after the wound has healed. These take nearly 180 days to get dissolved within the skin due to the body’s enzymatic activity. As the construction material is a combination of copolymers of glycolic acid and trimethylene carbonate, the product is known for its high tensile strength, that adds to their overall durability.
Moreover, it is important to note that the tensile strength of the product decreases with time, i.e., 80% after 7 days, 75% after 14 days, and 65% after 21 days of stitching. Furthermore, these Covidien V-Loc L0614 VLOC 180 ABS 3-0 GR 9 V-20 sutures do not let the wound tear or get damaged during the healing process owing to their V-Loc technology. As these Covidien V-Loc L0614 VLOC 180 ABS 3-0 GR 9 V-20 sutures are sterile, the patient remains safe when they are used due to the lower risk of infection or allergy.
*Note: The prices of these items mentioned in the article are taken from the Health Supply 770 website. These may vary over time.
Suture removal kits contain all the necessary instruments for the process
The products linked in the article, while learning about suture removal scissors, along with many other medical supplies, can be purchased 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 link at the end of the article to check the wide range of wound care products.
Conclusion
Suturing is one of the most commonly employed methods of closing the wounds. It involves tying a suture around the wounded or incised area until it is fully healed. However, in case of non-absorbable sutures, there is a need to remove the thread after wound healing with the help of sterile scissors and forceps, among other necessary medical supplies.
As much as these suture removal scissors are vital for the procedure, their proper handling and sterilization afterwards is equally necessary. In this regard, cleaning them immediately after use is recommended using soapy water, followed by disinfection or sterilization. This way, the risk of infection transfer from one patient to another can be minimized.
Considering their importance, suture removal scissors are an integral part of the wound care kit within healthcare facilities. For purchasing different kinds of medical devices, including suture removal scissors, reliable vendors like Health Supply 770 should be approached. They ensure the provision of quality products along with satisfactory services.
