A surgeon explains his justification for his suture choice to the new perioperative nurse in the scrub role.He prefers to suture his intestinal anastomosis with a suture that has multiple filaments braided together because it ties well and holds the knot,which tightens when the thread absorbs the tissue fluids.He also needs a strand that is easy to see and only needs to retain its tensile strength for about 1 year,at which time the intestinal junction will be healed,even though this suture is considered nonabsorbable.He will ask the nurse for a 24-inch 4-0:
A) multifilament nylon.
B) surgical gut.
C) polybutester.
D) silk.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Silk (Sofsilk)is prepared from thread spun by the silkworm larva while making its cocoon.Top-grade raw silk is: (1)processed to remove natural waxes and gum,(2)manufactured into threads,and (3)colored with a vegetable dye.The strands of silk are twisted or braided to form the suture,which gives it high tensile strength and better handling qualities.Silk handles well,is soft,and forms secure knots.Because of the capillarity of untreated silk,body fluid may transmit infection along the length of the suture strand.Silk is not a true nonabsorbable material.When buried in tissue,it loses its tensile strength after about 1 year and may disappear after several years.

A Surgeon Explains His Justification for His Suture Choice to the New