Considerations in the choice of surgical needles

Bodily tissues of varying consistency, thickness, penetrability, location and weave are encountered by the surgeon. Correspondingly, he should choose surgical needles that will introduce sutures through these tissues in the most precise and rapid manner, ideally creating a wound just large enough to draw the suture material into and through the tissue. Manipulation of the needle is aided by selecting one appropriate to the specific wound site and by the choice of a needle holder that is most ideally suited to the particular needle. Although the primary reason for appropriate choice of needle and needle holder is better patient care, an extremely important secondary reason is greater comfort and satisfaction for the surgeon in using ideal instruments.