A Review of Sutures and Suturing Techniques
Corresponding Author
RONALD L. MOY MD
Division of Dermatology (RLM), UCLA School of Medicine, Los Angeles, the Department of Dermatology (BW), UCSF School of Medicine, San Francisco, and UCLA-San Fernando Program (DWH), Los Angeles, California.
Address correspondence and reprint requests to: Ronald L. Moy, MD, Mohs Micrographic Surgery Unit, UCLA Medical Center, 200 UCLA Medical Plaza, Suite 465, Los Angeles, CA 90024–6957.Search for more papers by this authorBARRY WALDMAN MD
Division of Dermatology (RLM), UCLA School of Medicine, Los Angeles, the Department of Dermatology (BW), UCSF School of Medicine, San Francisco, and UCLA-San Fernando Program (DWH), Los Angeles, California.
Search for more papers by this authorDARRYL W. HEIN MD
Division of Dermatology (RLM), UCLA School of Medicine, Los Angeles, the Department of Dermatology (BW), UCSF School of Medicine, San Francisco, and UCLA-San Fernando Program (DWH), Los Angeles, California.
Search for more papers by this authorCorresponding Author
RONALD L. MOY MD
Division of Dermatology (RLM), UCLA School of Medicine, Los Angeles, the Department of Dermatology (BW), UCSF School of Medicine, San Francisco, and UCLA-San Fernando Program (DWH), Los Angeles, California.
Address correspondence and reprint requests to: Ronald L. Moy, MD, Mohs Micrographic Surgery Unit, UCLA Medical Center, 200 UCLA Medical Plaza, Suite 465, Los Angeles, CA 90024–6957.Search for more papers by this authorBARRY WALDMAN MD
Division of Dermatology (RLM), UCLA School of Medicine, Los Angeles, the Department of Dermatology (BW), UCSF School of Medicine, San Francisco, and UCLA-San Fernando Program (DWH), Los Angeles, California.
Search for more papers by this authorDARRYL W. HEIN MD
Division of Dermatology (RLM), UCLA School of Medicine, Los Angeles, the Department of Dermatology (BW), UCSF School of Medicine, San Francisco, and UCLA-San Fernando Program (DWH), Los Angeles, California.
Search for more papers by this authorSupported in part by the Dermatology Research Foundation of California, Inc.
Abstract
The ideal suture is strong, handles easily, and forms secure knots. It causes minimal tissue inflammation and does not promote infection. It stretches and accommodates wound edema. Although no single suture possesses all of these features, proper selection of sutures helps achieve better results in skin surgery. Proper suturing technique is essential for obtaining good cosmetic results and avoiding scarring and poor wound healing. Techniques that must be mastered include good eversion of skin edges, avoiding suture marks, maintaining uniform tensile strength along the skin edges, and precise approximation along skin edges. J Dermatol Surg Oncol 1992;18:785–795.
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