![]() This looks like an upside-down triangle in cross-section. Reverse cutting needles also have a sharpened point, but this time the inner surface is flat, whilst the outer convex edge cuts through tissue away from the surface. However, they can weaken other tissues, causing sutures to cut out into the wound. Cutting needles are useful for passing through tough tissues, such as thick skin, fascia and the sternum. The inner concave edge cuts through the tissue towards the surface, whilst the outer surface is flat. This looks like a triangle in cross-section. Needle point Cutting needlesĬutting needles have a sharpened point which cuts a path through tissues. However, it takes more force to pierce tissue with a blunt needle than with a sharp one, so each bite must still be as careful and controlled as possible. These have the advantage of improved safety for theatre staff, as they are much less likely to puncture gloves and have been shown to significantly reduce needlestick injuries.īlunt needles are used for abdominal wall closure as they also reduce the risk of accidentally stabbing the bowel. ![]() Blunt needlesīlunt needles have a rounded tip which dilates and separates tissue to pass through it. Most suture needles are sharp, as blunt needles are less precise and often struggle to get through tough tissues. Sharp needles have a sharpened tip which punctures tissue to pass through it. The tissue being sutured will dictate the type of needle tip and point required. A range of suture needle shapes, including (from left to right) a large ⅝ curve, a J-shaped curve, a straight needle and a smaller ⅜ curve Needle tip However, they are unsuitable for deeper suturing within body cavities as they require a lot of space to manoeuvre and are more likely to inadvertently prick organs. They are very precise and create beautifully neat skin closures. Straight needles can be held with a needle holder or in the surgeon’s hand. Ski-shaped needles are very useful for laparoscopic suturing, where the surgeon cannot use their wrist to drive a curved needle as effectively. J-shaped needles are perfect for fascial closure of small laparoscopic port sites. Smaller curves (such as ⅜ or ½ of a circle) are suitable for most tasks, whilst larger curves (such as ⅝) are better for very narrow or deep spaces. They can be manoeuvred easily in small spaces and allow the surgeon to take decent bites of tissue by turning their wrist. Curved needlesĬurved needles are by far the most common type. The amount of space available in the operative field will dictate the best needle shape to use. The main considerations when choosing a needle for a particular task are the needle shape and the type of needle tip and point. Suture needles come in hundreds of different sizes and shapes. Unlike sewing at home, where you have to push the thread through the eye of the needle yourself, modern suture needles are already seamlessly attached to their suture material to ensure smooth passage through tissues with minimal trauma. a swage where it joins with the suture material.a wider body which is grasped by the needle holder.a narrow point which is driven into the tissue.Suture needles are made from stainless steel alloys and have three parts: A snapshot of the variety of suture materials available in the average operating theatre Suture needlesĪny sort of sewing requires a needle to carry the thread through the tissues. In addition to perfecting the physical art of suturing, surgeons must make important decisions about the best suturing methods to use and which of the vast array of available needles and suture materials to choose for each step of an operation. Suturing is a core surgical skill and one of the first techniques surgeons are taught during their training. Sutures can hold wound edges together while healing, control bleeding, repair tissue defects or damaged structures, create anastomoses and secure foreign objects such as mesh implants, vascular grafts and drains in place. ![]() ![]() They essentially consist of a needle and a thread, known as the suture material. Sutures are medical devices which are used to sew living tissues. You may also be interested in our range of suturing guides (with video demonstrations), including performing a simple interrupted suture and vertical mattress suture. ![]()
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