How Surgical Sutures Work: A Simple Explanation for Patients

One of the most widespread medical instruments for wound and post-operative wound
surgery or injury. Learn about how surgical sutures work can help
patients feel more informed, reduce anxiety, and follow proper aftercare instructions. Let’s understand the purpose
of sutures, the mechanism of the procedure, the different sutures, as well as crucial considerations to follow
after suture care.

Understanding Sutures

A suture, also referred to as a stitch, is a medical instrument utilised in sealing
cuts, incisions, or wounds. The primary activity is to make the sides of a wound meet each other as the tissue heals
on its own. To put it in plain words, a suture is a support, which helps to maintain the wound hygienic and minimise
the chances of infection.

An understanding of what is suture will
make patients feel the importance of it. Sutures may be broadly categorised into two types:

• Absorbable sutures: These are the ones that decay as time passes and do not need to be removed.
• Non-absorbable
  sutures: These require a medical practitioner to come and
  remove them after the wound heals.

Both are used to make sure that the tissue stays in place to facilitate maximum healing
and reduce scarring.

How Surgical Sutures Work

Wound closure is more than just picking up a needle and stitching the skin. This is a
simplified explanation of how Surgical Sutures Work in surgery:

1. Preparation: The area of the wound is washed and decontaminated. To minimise the pain, local
   anaesthesia can be used.
2. Stitching: The tissue is threaded with a needle
   through the suture material. With every stitch, the sides of the wound are pulled.
3. Securing: Knots are tied to hold the tissue in place.
   The suture should not be so tight that it prevents the flow of blood, but also not too loose so that the
   wound may not heal.
4. Healing support: The suture maintains the wound, minimises
   the risk of infection and enhances the faster recovery of tissues and also reduces scarring.

This process, often called the suture procedure, ensures controlled healing and supports both the internal and external layers of
tissue.

Common Types of Surgical Sutures

The sutures used in surgery are classified in terms of the dissolvable nature of a
suture, its configuration, and the system that they are composed of. The differences assist the surgeons in
selecting the most appropriate sutures to achieve safe healing and infection prevention.

• Absorbable and non-absorbable: Absorbable sutures weaken over time, contributing to their dismantling. They are ultimately absorbed
  in the body. The suture is commonly made of a material which can cause it to be absorbable or not. These
  could be poliglecaprone 25 and polyglactin 910.

• Multifilament vs. monofilament: Monofilaments involve a single strand and are not difficult to pass through
  tissue. They are also likely to maintain their original shape. Multifilament sutures involve using
  several strands which are intertwined together as in a braid or a rope.

• Natural vs. synthetic: Sutures can either be produced from synthetic material or a natural substance,
  including tissues of animals. The surgeon will select an option that is best option, depending on the suture
  location.

The suture properties used will be selected by the surgeons as most appropriate to the
type and purpose. As an illustration, they can use monofilament absorbable sutures in case of a high risk of
infections.

After Suture Care

To avoid infection and to ensure the wound heals effectively, proper after
suture care is necessary. Consistent care helps protect the stitched area,
reduces complications, and ensures better cosmetic and recovery outcomes.

• Make the place hygienic and
  dry: Do not wet the wound with water. Very slight cleaning
  using a mild soap is permissible.
• Monitor for signs of
  infection: Redness, swelling, warmth, pus, or increased pain
  require medical attention.
• Follow dressing
  instructions: Change bandages as recommended, using clean hands or
  sterile gloves.
• Avoid strain: Do not stretch or pull at
  sutures. Minimise activity that may put stress on the wound.
• Follow-up visits: Non-absorbable sutures need to be taken out on time to prevent
  complications.

These steps contribute to adequate wound healing and allow the tissue to heal safely. It
also goes a long way in eliminating the chance of infection, over scarring and other complications that can slow
down the healing process.

Risks and Precautions

Complications during the healing process are still possible even after proper suturing.
The problems that may occur often are infection, delayed wound healing, suture reaction, scarring, or reopening of
the wound, particularly when the instructions are not adhered to when administering after-suture care.

• Infection: The bacteria that penetrate the wound may result in redness, pus, and slowness of
  healing.
• Allergic reaction: Suture material rarely causes a reaction in patients.
• Irritation or tearing:
  The healing can be interfered with by pulling sutures or bumping
  in an accident.

To keep these risks under control and reduce complications, being aware of precautions
after suture care and observing guidelines aids in a smooth recovery
process.

Conclusion

Understanding how surgical sutures work
empowers patients to participate actively in their wound care. Using and taking good care of the sutures, be it
absorbable or non-absorbable, leads to quicker healing, minimised chances of infection and equally good recovery. To
obtain safe, quality surgical supplies and resources on safe wound management, Nuvo Medsurg will provide
reliable products to both the healthcare practitioners and the patients.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is a surgical suture?
A surgical suture refers to a thread or a stitch used by medical practitioners to
sew wounds, cuts, or surgical incisions. It assists in keeping tissues together throughout the healing process, and
it also helps in bleeding and it also minimises the risk of infection. Sutures are chosen depending on the type of
wound and could either be absorbable or non-absorbable.

2. How do surgical sutures help wounds heal?
Surgical sutures facilitate wound healing by keeping the edges of the wounds in
place. This limits movement, cushions the injured area and provides a clean environment to the area to enable the
tissue to heal. Well, it also contributes to the prevention of infection and contributes to faster recovery and the
overall appearance of the recovered skin.

3. What is the difference between absorbable and non-absorbable sutures?
Absorbable sutures disintegrate and are absorbed by the body, so there is no need to
be removed. They find extensive use in the body or in internal layers. Non-absorbable sutures are harder and cannot
be absorbed; they are left in place until healed, after which they should be removed by a medical
practitioner.

4. How should I care for my sutures at home?
Suture care at home involves keeping the area clean and dry, washing hands before
touching the wound, and changing dressings as advised. Avoid pulling or scratching stitches, limit strenuous
activity, and watch for signs of infection. Always follow your doctor’s instructions carefully.

5. When should I contact my doctor regarding sutures?
Contact your doctor in case of redness, swelling, warmth, pus and continuing pain in
the sutures. Get assistance when the stitches become loose, broken or when you develop a fever or bleeding. Early
health care prevents other complications and infection.