Sutures

Question 1

Which one of the following is monofilament?
A)Vircyrl
B)PDS II 
C)Mersilk
D)Supramide

Answer 1

B)PDS II (Polydioxanone)
MONOFILAMENT
SYNTHETIC
NON COATED
ONLY MINIMAL ABSORPTION BY 90 DAYS
ABSORBED BY 18DAYS BY HYDROLYSIS
GOOD FOR INFECTED SITES 
MINIMAL TISSYE REACTION

Question 2

Which one of the following is NOT absorbed by hydrolysis?
A)PDS II
B)DEXON
C)CHROMIC CATGUT
D)MONOCRYL

Answer 2

C)CHROMIC CATGUT
NATURAL (MADE FROM PURIFIED ANIMAL INTESTINES)
COATED WITH CHROMIUM SALTS
ABSORBED BY ENZMATIC DEGRATION AND PHAGOCYTOSIS
ALWAYS CAUSES A MORDERATE INFLAMMATION RESPONE

Question 3

Which of the following is permanent?
A)POLYGLACTIN 910
B)POLIGLECARPONE
C)POLYAMIDE
D)PLAIN CATGUT

Answer 3

C)POLYAMIDE (ETHILON)
MONOFILAMENT 
SYNTHETIC 
NON COATED
CAUSES MINIMAL TISSUE REACTION

Question 4

WHAT IS POLYGLACTIN 910?
A)PDS II
B)MONOCRYL
C)MAXON
D)VIRCRYL

Answer 4

D)VIRCRYL
MULITIFILAMENT 
SYNETHIC
COATED WITH CALCIUM STERATE
ABSORBED BY 60-90DAYS BY HYDROLYSIS
LOW TISSUE REACTIVITY 
USES; SUBCUTICULAR LAYER, MUSCLE, EYES AND HOLLOW VISCERA

Question 5

WHICH OF THE FOLLOWING IS ABSORBED BY HYDROLYSIS THE QUICKEST?
A)CAT GUT
B)MAXON
C)MONOCRYL
D)DEXON

Answer 5

B)MAXON (POLYGLYCONATE)
MONOFILAMENT
SYNTHETIC
COMPLETE ABSORPTION BY 60DAYS

Question 6

WHICH OF THE FOLLOWING SHOULD NOT BE USED ON INFECTED SITES?
A)VICRYL RAPIDE
B)PDS II
C)MERSILK
D)ETHILON

Answer 6

C)MERSILK
MULTIFILAMENT 
NATURAL 
HAS A WAX COAT
HIGH TISUE REACTIVITY 
NOT TO BE USED IN INFECTED SITES

Question 7

WHICH ONE OF THE FOLLOWING IS COATED IN CALCIUM STEARATE?
A)PDS II
B)VICRYL
C)MONOCRYL
D)MAXON

Answer 7

B)VICRYL

Question 8

WHICH OF THE FOLLOWING IS NOT MULTIFILAMENT?
A)POLYGLACTIN
B)POLYDIOXANONE 
C)POLYGLYCOLIC
D)NURALON

Answer 8

B)POLYDIOXANONE (PDS II)

Question 9

List 5 ways in which suture materials are categorise

Answer 9

Absorbable or non-absorbable 
Natural or man made
Braided or monofilament
Coated or plain
Swaged needle or with no needle attached

Question 10

List 4 examples of absorbable suture materials

Answer 10

Catgut
Polydioxanone PDS
Polyglactin 910 VICRYL 
Polyconate MAXON
Polyglycolic acid DEXON

Question 11

Why is chromic catgut treated with chromium salts?

Answer 11

In order to slow down the rate of breakdown in the body and therefore improves strength of suture

Question 12

In addition to catgut, name 2 other natural suture materials

Answer 12

Linen

Silk

Question 13

List 4 examples of non-absorbable suture materials

Answer 13

Polyamide ETHILON
Polybutylester NOVAFIL
Polypropylene PROLENE
Silk

Question 14

List 3 examples of coated suture materials

Answer 14

Chromic catgut
Ethibond
Vicryl

Question 15

List 3 examples of braided suture materials

Answer 15

Dexon
Stainless steel
Vicryl

Question 16

List 4 examples of monofilament suture materials

Answer 16

Catgut
Nylomide/Supramide
PDS
Prolene

Question 17

How are suture materials usually sterilised?

Answer 17

By gamma irradiation of ethylene oxide

Question 18

List 4 factors to be taken into account when choosing a suture material

Answer 18

Capillarity
Knot strength/security
Tensile strength
Tissue drag
Cost
Tissue reaction

Question 19

For what purpose might you use Polydioxanone, Polyglactin 910 or Polyglycolic acid?

Answer 19

Suture of the subcutis

Question 20

A material suitable for suturing muscle

Answer 20

PDS

Question 21

Suggest 4 suitable uses for Polypropylene (prolene)

Answer 21

Suturing of a hollow viscus
The suturing of tendons
The suturing of blood vessels
The suturing of nerves

Question 22

How are suture needles classified?

Answer 22

By type eg. Round bodied, conventional cutting, reverse cutting
By shape eg.straight, 1/4 straight, 3/8 circle, 5/8 circle, bald curved, J needle, compound curve

Question 23

Describe a reverse cutting needle

Answer 23

This needle has its cutting edge on the outside of its curvature in order to improve its strength and resistance of bending

Question 24

What is the main advantage of a taper cut needle?

Answer 24

This combines the initial penetration of a cutting needle with the minimised trauma of a round bodied needle

Question 25

When might the use of a trocar point needle be indicated?

Answer 25

When powerful penetration of deep, dense tissue is required

Question 26

When might the use of a micro point needle be indicated?

Answer 26

Ophthalmic surgery

Question 27

Name the suture pattern most likely to lead to complete wound breakdown

Answer 27

Simple continuous

Question 28

When might the use of simple interrupted sutures be indicated?

Answer 28

As a buried suture when the suture ends should be cut short

For skin closure

Question 29

What site patterns are ideal for the closure of skin wounds under moderate tension?

Answer 29

Horizontal or vertical mattress

Question 30

What is another name for a Swaged needle?

Answer 30

Atraumatic

Question 31

You are asked to remove the sutures from a bitch 10DAYS following Ovariohysterectomy. The wound appears closed but is quite red and sore as a result of her licking. What would you recommend?

Answer 31

Assess vital signs including hydration status and CRT to rule out internal haemorrhage
Remove alternate sutures in case of wound breakdown and re-examine the bitch in 3-5days to reassess
Prevent further patient interference by providing an Elizabethan collar
Advise salt-water bathing twice daily to ensure that the wound is kept clean

Question 32

Give 3 alternatives to sutures

Answer 32

Staples
Tissue glue
Adhesive tapes