Running suturing: the ideal length facilitates this task

Laparoscopic intracorporeal suturing is difficult, a complex task involving several integrated skills such as needle handling, suturing, and knotting. Running suturing is even more complex in the closed environment secondary to the angles of the suture lines, the tension maintained on the suture line, and the need to secure the ends, including tying a knot from the tail of the suture to the loop of the preceding stitch. We have hypothesized that the ideal suture length facilitates this process, and this study was specifically designed to determine the ideal suture length for an intracorporeal running suture.

Latex phantoms were incised for 1 or 2 cm, and each was marked with black points to indicate suture entrance and exit sites. These marks were placed 2 mm from the incision, starting 2 mm proximally and ending 2 mm distally. Suture lengths could then be varied in direct proportion to the length of the incision, keeping all of these points as constants. The ratios of suture length:incision length were 9:1, 10:1, and 11:1. One surgeon performed all of the running suturing utilizing dry 3-0 coated polyglactin with a tapered SH needle. The times needed to create running suture lines were recorded (seconds), the number of ideal entrance and exit points tabulated, and the number of technical errors (missed movements resulting in prolonged suturing) recorded.

The lengths of both the incision and the suture affect the ability to perform laparoscopic intracorporeal running suturing. As the incision increased, the suture:incision ratio of 9:1 resulted in the most efficient results (quickest suturing and fewest errors). In smaller suture lines (1 cm), the ratios 10:1 and 11:1 appeared better.

A suture:incision ratio of 9:1 is best for longer suture lines and 10:1 is better for short suture lines.