[Introduction, designs and assessment of a suture set for standard cardiovascular surgery]

A packing system for threads and needles has been introduced with the aim of efficient operations in the field of cardiovascular surgery. To provide competent and safe surgery to patients, a suture set was developed according to the standard cardiovascular surgery procedure with cooperation between doctors and nurses at Kochi University Hospital. This suture set was introduced to all surgeries for adults conducted under cardiopulmonary bypass. Herein, we describe problems before the introduction, the process of the introduction, and designs of the suture set. In addition, we assessed the present condition since the introduction of this suture set. Many positive opinions were obtained from both doctors and nurses, and the suture set thus yielded a satisfactory assessment. Psychological stability and safety provided by the suture set may lead not only to cost reduction but also to an increased level of surgery as a whole. In addition, it may now be possible to provide simpler and more efficient cardiovascular surgery with this set. This suture set will serve as a useful model for thread and needle packing systems to be developed at various facilities in the future.