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The mattress sutures: vertical, horizontal, and corner stitch
1Atlanta Medical Center, Atlanta, Georgia, USA.
American Family Physician
|January 1, 2003
Summary
Mattress sutures, including vertical and horizontal techniques, are effective for closing wounds under tension and promoting eversion. Early removal of these sutures can minimize potential "railroad mark" scarring.
Area of Science:
- Dermatology
- Surgical Techniques
Background:
- Interrupted vertical and horizontal mattress sutures are common skin closure methods.
- These techniques facilitate wound edge eversion and minimize scarring.
- Mattress sutures are useful for closing wounds with tension or over a distance.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the applications and potential drawbacks of vertical and horizontal mattress suture techniques.
- To highlight the utility of the corner stitch variation for specific wound types.
Main Methods:
- Review of interrupted vertical and horizontal mattress suture techniques.
- Discussion of applications in wound closure, including angled flaps.
- Consideration of scar formation and mitigation strategies.
Main Results:
- Mattress sutures promote wound edge eversion and closure under tension.
- The corner stitch is effective for angled skin flaps.
- Potential for surface scarring ('railroad marks') exists.
Conclusions:
- Early suture removal is recommended to limit potential scarring.
- Mattress sutures remain valuable tools in skin closure for various wound types.