Surgical Threads: A Comprehensive Guide to Types, Uses, and Properties
Surgical threads are essential tools in medicine, allowing for the closure of wounds and the connection of tissues. Depending on the type and application, surgical threads differ in terms of material, structure, strength, and absorption time. In this article, we will provide a comprehensive guide to the types, uses, and properties of surgical threads to help readers understand their key features and applications.
Basic Information about Surgical Threads
What are Surgical Threads and What Are They Used For?
Surgical threads are specialized threads used in medicine for closing wounds, connecting tissues, and various surgical procedures. Their main task is to hold tissues together until the wound heals. Depending on the type of procedure, surgical threads can be used to sew the skin, muscles, tendons, blood vessels, or internal organs.
Characteristics of Surgical Threads: From Sterility to Strength
Sterile surgical threads are essential to ensure patient safety and minimize the risk of infection. Thread sterilization is done using gamma radiation or steam. Another important aspect of surgical threads is their strength, allowing them to hold tissues together for the necessary duration. The strength of threads depends on the material they are made of and their structure.
Classification of Surgical Threads: Differences and Applications
Surgical threads are classified into several basic types that differ in material, structure, absorption time, and application. The main types of surgical threads include:
- Absorbable threads - made from materials absorbed by the body. They are primarily used in internal surgeries where there is no need to remove stitches.
- Non-absorbable threads - made from materials not absorbed by the body. They are mainly used for skin stitching and in surgeries requiring long-term tissue stabilization.
- Monofilament threads - made from a single fiber, providing smoothness and reduced tendency to create adhesions. They are primarily used in vascular surgeries and plastic surgery.
- Multifilament threads - composed of multiple fibers, providing greater strength and flexibility. They are used in surgeries requiring higher tensile strength, such as orthopedic surgery.
Differences in the use of surgical threads arise primarily from their properties and the type of procedure. Choosing the appropriate type of thread is crucial for ensuring proper healing and minimizing the risk of complications.
Types of Surgical Threads and Their Applications
Monofilament and Multifilament Surgical Threads: A Comparison
Monofilament surgical threads are made from a single fiber, making them smooth and less prone to adhesions. Due to these properties, monofilament threads are often used in vascular surgeries and plastic surgery. On the other hand, multifilament threads are composed of multiple fibers, providing greater strength and flexibility. They are used in surgeries requiring higher tensile strength, such as orthopedic surgery. The choice between monofilament and multifilament threads depends on the type of procedure and the individual needs of the patient.
Absorbable and Non-absorbable Surgical Threads: When to Use?
Absorbable surgical threads are made from materials absorbed by the body. They are primarily used in internal surgeries where there is no need to remove stitches. Non-absorbable surgical threads, on the other hand, are made from materials not absorbed by the body. They are mainly used for skin stitching and in surgeries requiring long-term tissue stabilization. The absorption time of stitches depends on the type of thread and the patient's individual characteristics, such as age, health, and lifestyle.
Surgical Stitches: From Nylon to Polypropylene
Surgical stitches can be made from various materials depending on needs and applications. Nylon threads are lightweight, durable, and elastic, making them often used in general surgery and skin procedures. Polypropylene threads, on the other hand, are stiffer and resistant to enzyme action, making them suitable for stitching blood vessels or tendons. Synthetic stitches are made from synthetic materials such as polyester or polyglycol, known for their good strength and biocompatibility.
Specialized Surgical Threads: Amifil, Novosyn, Dafilon, Centraliss, and Others
Specialized surgical threads are also available on the market, such as amifil, novosyn, dafilon, or atramat pga surgical threads. They are designed for specific applications, such as plastic, dental, or ophthalmic surgery. Paying attention to the availability of surgical threads in pharmacies and specialized stores, such as eplaster surgical threads, is important. Choosing the right type of surgical thread depends on the type of procedure, patient needs, and the preferences of the attending physician.
Selection and Application of Surgical Threads
Selection of Surgical Threads: Parameters, Labels, and Thickness
When selecting surgical stitches, it is important to consider several essential aspects, such as parameters of surgical stitches, labels of surgical threads, and thickness of surgical threads. These parameters influence the strength of the stitch, its flexibility, and absorption time. Labels on surgical threads provide information about the type of material they are made from and their properties, such as absorbability or strength. The thickness of surgical threads affects the tensile strength of the stitch and the healing time of the wound.
Purchasing Surgical Threads: Pharmacy or Specialized Store?
If you are looking for suitable surgical threads, it is worth considering where you purchase surgical threads of the best quality. Pharmacies often offer basic types of surgical threads, but their selection may be limited. Specialized stores usually have a wider range, including surgical threads from reputable manufacturers, which may translate into better quality of threads and greater safety during surgical procedures.
Wound Closure: Techniques and Surgical Tools
During wound closure, various techniques and surgical tools are used to join the edges of the wound and allow for proper healing. Depending on the type of wound and patient needs, the physician may choose to sew the skin using various types of needles, such as taper point needles (with a conical tip) or reverse cutting needles (with a curved edge). It is also important to choose the right needle size and type of needle curvature to ensure precise and safe wound closure.
Absorption Time of Stitches: Healing Process and Rapid Absorption
The healing process of a wound is closely related to the absorption time of stitches. Depending on the type of surgical threads, this time may be shorter (rapid absorption) or longer. Fast stitching and the duration of maintaining the stitch affect how long the surgical thread remains in the patient's body. In the case of absorbable threads, rapid absorption can accelerate the healing process, but too rapid absorption can lead to weakening of the stitch and complications. Therefore, it is important to choose the right type of surgical threads, considering the individual needs of the patient and the type of surgical procedure.
Testing and Research of Surgical Threads
Physical Properties of Surgical Threads: Strength and Structure
The physical properties of surgical threads are crucial for their functioning during surgical procedures. One of the fundamental parameters is the strength of the thread, which affects its ability to hold the stitch in place and the healing time of the wound. Another important aspect is the structure of surgical threads, which may vary depending on the type of thread. For example, monolithic surgical threads (also called monolithic threads) have a uniform structure, making them less elastic but more durable. In contrast, plastic threads are characterized by greater flexibility, allowing for better adaptation to the wound.
Methods of Testing Surgical Stitches: From Stitch Length to Rapid Stitching
To assess the quality of surgical threads, various methods of testing surgical stitches are used. One of them is the examination of stitch length, allowing for the assessment of thread strength and its ability to maintain the stitch in place. Other testing methods include the examination of natural threads, such as collagen threads, as well as woven threads and multifilament threads, which have a complex structure and can be used in various types of surgical procedures. These tests also allow for the evaluation of soluble stitches, which are absorbed by the patient's body in a specified time, affecting the wound healing process.
An essential aspect of testing surgical stitches is also the assessment of stitching speed, which influences the duration of the procedure and the surgeon's working comfort. Stitching speed depends on thread properties such as elasticity, strength, and structure, as well as the surgeon's skills and the type of surgical tools used.
In summary, testing and research of surgical threads are crucial for assessing their quality and physical properties, such as strength and structure. Various testing methods, such as examining stitch length or stitching speed, allow for the selection of suitable surgical threads that will meet the requirements during surgical procedures and ensure the proper healing process of the wound.
Surgical Needle - Types of Surgical Needles
In today's times, the most popular solution is a ready-made suture kit consisting of pre-threaded needles. The thread is already threaded onto the needle. The entire kit is packed in a pouch guaranteeing sterility.
Different Types of Surgical Needles Include:
- Round-bodied needle
- Reverse cutting needle
- Conventional cutting needle
- Tapercut needle
- Round blunt tapered needle
- Micro-point spatula curved needle
The Most Popular Type of Needle Is the Reverse Cutting Needle.
Reverse cutting needle is a type of surgical needle whose cutting edge is directed in the opposite direction to traditional cutting needles. In the case of reverse cutting needles, the cutting edge is directed upward, toward the needle's shank, meaning the cutting edge is on the inner side of the needle arc. This makes needles of this type have certain benefits during stitching compared to needles with a traditional cutting design.
The main advantages of reverse cutting needles include:
- Less tissue damage: Because the cutting edge is directed toward the shank, this type of needle often causes less tissue damage, which is essential, especially when stitching delicate structures.
- Better stitch retention: The reversed cutting edge may better retain stitches, which is particularly useful in areas where stronger stitch holding is required.
- Higher penetration force: Reverse cutting needles may better penetrate various types of tissues, facilitating the work of the surgeon.
These advantages make reverse cutting needles often chosen in specific surgical procedures, especially where minimizing tissue damage is essential and ensuring durable stitch retention is crucial.
Summary
In this article, we discussed surgical threads and their various types, applications, and properties. We presented fundamental information about surgical threads, such as their characteristics, classification, selection, and applications. We compared monofilament and multifilament threads, as well as absorbable and non-absorbable threads. We also discussed specialized surgical threads, such as amifil, novosyn, and dafilon.
In the later part of the article, we focused on the selection of surgical threads, their parameters, markings, thickness, and the purchase of surgical threads in pharmacies or specialized stores. We presented surgical techniques and tools used for wound closure, and discussed the absorption time of stitches and the healing process.
The next topic was the testing and examination of surgical threads, which allow for the assessment of their quality and physical properties, such as strength and structure. We discussed various testing methods, such as examining stitch length or sewing speed, which impact the choice of appropriate surgical threads and the proper wound healing process.
In the conclusion of the article, we presented types of surgical needles and their significance. We discussed needle shape, cross-section, and sharpening type.
In summary, surgical threads are a crucial element in the surgical treatment process, and their proper selection, application, and testing are essential for the success of the procedure and the patient's health. Knowledge about surgical threads, their types, and properties enables informed decision-making and a better understanding of surgical processes.
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