Understanding the logic of common suturing techniques in dermatologic surgery

Although most trainees in dermatology learn that different suturing techniques are designated for a specific purpose (i.e., certain functional and cosmetic outcomes), students often have a difficult time visualizing how a given suture functions in its designated capacity. In this article, we address the logic behind the most common suturing techniques in dermatologic surgery, including the direction and magnitude of their pulling force with respect to the wound edges and the ensuing displacement of dermal and epidermal structures. To aid better understanding, we diagram the vectors of suture force with each of the techniques discussed.