The Suture Removal Procedure: Safety First
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), almost 110,800 surgical site infections (SSIs) are reported among patients undergoing different medical procedures. Many of these can be prevented if proper wound care is practiced during stitching and suture removal. In this regard, it is important to follow a step-by-step suture removal procedure to ensure patient safety.
Suturing is one of the best ways to close an open wound to promote healing
In this article, we will address about the correct suture removal procedure and the safety measures that are mandatory during this process. In addition, some of the well-known suture brands have also been linked for the reader’s convenience.
What are Sutures?
Sutures, or surgical sutures, are the sterile threads that are used to sew the wounds after a traumatic injury or a surgical procedure. To conduct this job, a needle of suitable size is attached at the tip of the suture thread that lets the suture pass through the tissues and tie them up.
As sutures are available in both absorbable and non-absorbable forms, the choice is made by the healthcare provider depending on the type of procedure to be conducted. In the case of absorbable ones, there is no need to remove the sutures once the wound has healed. However, the non-absorbable suture threads do not dissolve within the body and are, therefore, removed.
Suture Removal Procedure: A Step-by-Step Guide
When a suture removal procedure is to be conducted, it is preferable for the patient to visit a healthcare facility to consult a doctor or a nurse. However, if it is not possible, sutures can be removed at home as well. Here, an online appointment should be made with a healthcare provider who can guide you through the process. In both cases, the given procedure should be taken as a step-by-step guide:
Wash Your Hands
The first step of the suture removal procedure is to wash your hands using soap and water. If a proper hand-washing facility is unavailable, using a hand sanitizer is also an option. This way, the risk of transferring germs to the affected area is significantly reduced. Once your hands are clean and dry, wear the disposable gloves given in the suture removal kit.
Prepare the Suture Removal Kit
Once you have thoroughly washed your hands, prepare the suture removal kit that contains all the sterile medical tools, including suture scissors, tweezers/forceps, sterile gauze, alcohol wipes, as well as bandages.
Clean the Wounded Area
Once you have cleaned your hands, it is important to ensure that the area on which the suture removal procedure is to be conducted is also clean. For this purpose, remove the dressing from the wounded area and inspect the wound. If there are no signs of redness, drainage, or swelling, it indicates that the wound has healed, and sutures can be removed.
However, if the wound is not fully healed, it is advised to wait until the tissue shows no signs indicating the healing is in process. If the healthcare providers give a go-ahead to cut the stitches, use antiseptic wipes on the site of incision to achieve a sterile field.
Cut the Sutures
Now, when the patient as well as the caregiver/healthcare provider is ready, the suture removal procedure can be conducted. For this purpose, hold the suture scissor in your dominant hand, while holding the forceps in the non-dominant hand.
Grasp the knot of one suture using the forceps and slightly lift it up. This will expose a small portion of the suture underneath the skin. With the sterile scissor, cut the suture from a point as close to the skin as possible.
Once it is cut, pull the suture out of the incision with the help of forceps. Make sure not to pull it against the wound. Repeat the process for all the stitches one by one. Discard the removed suture thread in a bag that should be disposed of immediately after the process.
Clean Up the Area
At this stage, when the suture removal procedure has been completed, inspect the area. If the two ends of the wounded tissue are separating, apply Steri-Strips to keep the ends together. If not, apply a bandage as a safety measure.
Disposable kits contain all the necessary supplies for suture removal procedures
Necessary Safety Measures during Suture Removal Procedure
While learning about a suture removal procedure, it should be kept in mind that practicing good hygiene during the process is necessary to ensure the safety of the patient as well as the caregiver/healthcare provider. In this regard, the following safety tips should be kept in mind:
Hand Hygiene is Important
Performing proper hand hygiene before and after the process ensures that the suture removal procedure remains safe for both the patient and the caregiver/healthcare provider. This is important because issues like redness, pain, and drainage at the wounded area are common, which can indicate the presence of an infection. Therefore, washing hands reduces the risk of contamination.
Wear Disposable Gloves
In addition to washing your hands, wearing disposable gloves add another layer of protection for the one handling the wound as well as for the patient during the suture removal procedure. Usually, these disposable gloves are provided within the suture removal kits.
Maintain a Clean Environment
In addition to performing hand hygiene during the suture removal procedure, maintenance of a well-lit, clean space around the patient is also important so that the risk of contracting an infection can be lessened.
Clean the Wounded Site
Cleaning the sutured area while conducting the suture removal procedure is also important, as it wipes away all the microbes present on the incision site. For this purpose, antiseptic wipes are provided within the suture removal kits.
Use Sterile Tools
Always use sterile medical tools for the suture removal procedure. This further ensures patient’s safety as each suture removal kit is a single-use item and cannot be employed for more than one patient. In addition, new tools are highly effective, as well during the process as they are sharp and allow the conduction of the process in a quick manner.
Proper and timely wound care reduces the risk of infections
Sutures at Health Supply 770: Features and Specifications
Sutures are the threads used for tying up the open wounds. These are available in both absorbable and non-absorbable forms and keep the tissues together until new cells are produced to heal the area. The non-absorbable ones need removal after wound healing, while the absorbable ones get dissolved within the skin due to enzymatic activity.
However, when it comes to learning about the suture removal procedure, it is also essential to look into some of the wound care products that many brands manufacture. Some of these well-known suture brands are also available at Health Supply 770 and have been detailed below, along with their features and purchase links:
945B Suture 5-0 10” Nylon Monofilament C-6 Black 12/Box
945B Suture 5-0 10” Nylon Monofilament C-6 Black 12/Box
(12 pieces per box)
Product Details
945B Suture 5-0 10” nylon monofilament C-6 sutures are non-absorbable wound-tying threads that are suitable for a single use only. With a length of 10 inches, the product can be employed to tie larger wounds. These are also considered suitable for sensitive areas due to their high durability and strength to withstand pressure without damaging the stitched area.
In addition, the construction material of these 945B Suture 5-0 10” nylon monofilament C-6 sutures is nylon that is free from any additives or coatings. This way, the thread becomes ideal for people who have a hypersensitivity towards most chemical agents used in medical products. Furthermore, the needle attached to these non-absorbable sutures is C-6 type, is curved, and has dimensions of 3/8 circle and 18 mm.
J & J Healthcare J496G Suture, Vicryl UD BR CT 4-0 18” PS2
J & J Healthcare J496G Suture, Vicryl UD BR CT 4-0 18” PS2
(12 pieces per box)
Product Details
J & J Healthcare J496G vicryl UD BR CT 4-0 18” PS2 absorbable sutures are specifically designed for the ligation of wounds that affect soft tissues. Owing to their smooth texture, these sutures are easy to handle and tie around the wounded area to achieve neat knots in no time. The product takes nearly 3 weeks to heal the tissues, followed by its dissolution into the skin.
Due to their easy usage and no need for suture removal, these J & J Healthcare J496G vicryl UD BR CT 4-0 18” PS2 sutures are employed during orthopedic surgeries, reproductive tract operations, as well as tissue/muscle approximation.
Covidien 8886442243 Novafil Monofilament Polybutester Suture, Reverse Cutting, Size 3-0, Blue, 18″, Needle C-14, 3/8 Circle, 1 dz/bx
(1 dozen per box)
Product Details
Covidien 8886442243 Novafil monofilament polybutester sutures are threads known for their flexibility and strength, owing to their ability to hold the wounded tissue together while causing a minimal risk of damage. For easy identification, the threads of these polybutester sutures are dyed blue. Moreover, the product also offers an ease of knotting the wound due to its smooth texture.
Furthermore, these Covidien 8886442243 Novafil monofilament polybutester sutures are used for ligation of soft tissue injuries and, therefore, find applications in ophthalmic, neurological, and cardiovascular surgical procedures.
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 come with a thread that is non-slip and, therefore, does not pose the risk of accidental damage to the wound during stitching and knotting. The suture has a dual-angle cut as well as a V-Loc system. As for their applications, these products are extensively employed in procedures involving the ligation of soft tissues.
Moreover, these Covidien VLOCM0644 V-Loc 90 and 180 non-slip sutures have a higher wound-holding capacity that leads to better safety of the area until it is fully healed. As the thread is smooth and soft, it does not cause much pain and discomfort to the patient during and after suturing.
Covidien VLOCL0614 – Suture, V-Loc 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 threads that can hold and heal a wound, followed by complete dissolution within the skin over a period of 4 to 5 months. The high tensile strength and durability of the product is due to the use of copolymers of glycolic acid and trimethylene carbonate as its construction material. However, this tensile strength tends to reduce over 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 are terminally sterilized using ethylene oxide gas, a feature that renders them safe as the risk of infections is significantly reduced. The V-Loc technology of the product also restricts the accidental wound opening once it has been stitched.
Due to their exceptional features and ease of usage, these Covidien V-Loc L0614 VLOC 180 ABS 3-0 GR 9 V-20 sutures are extensively used in healthcare facilities for conducting a wide range of procedures.
Suturing the wound allows the tissues to heal faster
The products linked in the article, while learning about the suture removal procedure, 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 an open wound is one of the ways to close it until it is fully healed. This allows the cells present in the tissues to divide and form new ones to promote healing. If the non-absorbable sutures are used, there is a need for their removal once the healing process has been completed.
In this regard, a proper suture removal procedure should be followed to ensure that the process is safe and effective. Preferably, a healthcare provider should be approached for the procedure, but stitches can be opened at home as well after taking instructions from a doctor or a nurse. Additionally, adopting good hygienic practices also reduces the risk of infections or other complications at the site of incision.
Considering their importance, sutures are an integral part of the wound care kit within healthcare facilities. For purchasing different kinds of medical devices, including sutures, 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/nhsn/pdfs/pscmanual/9pscssicurrent.pdf
https://journals.lww.com/nursing/citation/2003/10000/removing_sutures_and_staples.23.aspx
