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Correlation of Suture Diameter With Its Ability to Cut Through an Artificial Skin Model
Michael Y Xiong1,2, Richard G Bennett1,2,3
1Bennett Surgery Center, Santa Monica, California.
Background:
Sutures can tear through tissue, but little data exist on the relative ability of different suture gauges and suture types to cut into the skin.
Objective:
To quantify the relative ability of various sutures to cut into and tear through the skin.
Methods And Materials:
We tested 4 suture types (polypropylene, nylon, polyglactin 910, and poliglecaprone 25) at 2 gauges each (3-0 and 5-0) in their ability to cut into and tear through an artificial skin substitute comprised of a 1-mm thick silicone sheet. The force required to cut into and through the skin substitute was measured using a digital force gauge that generated a force-time curve. The suture diameters were verified using both a precision caliper micrometer and an eyepiece micrometer with the microscope. Statistical analysis was performed using the Student t-test and analysis of variance.
Results:
All 5-0 suture types required less force to cut into and tear through the skin substitute than their 3-0 counterparts. Among each suture gauge, there was no significant difference in tear-through force regardless of the suture type.
Conclusion:
Compared with larger gauge sutures, smaller gauge sutures more easily cut into and tear through skin substitute.
