General Surgery
Fixing suture issues
Broken suture, broken off needle, dysfunctional needle
- Remove the needle.
- Start a new strand near where you were working; tie a knot and secure
- Tighten up sutures associated with the broken strand
- Tie the new strand to the broken strand
- Trim the short ends and continue suturing
Watch on youtube and also watch this one on youtube
Loose suture line
- Tie a knot with a new strand in the middle of the loose bit
- Tighten up the original suture line so you have a loose loop in the middle (the rest should be tight)
- Tie the loop to the new strand.
- Trim all suture ends and pretend it was that way all along.