Suturing techniques

Continuous sutures

This technique involves a series of stitches that use a single strand of suture material. This type of suture can be placed rapidly and is also strong, since tension is distributed evenly throughout the continuous suture strand.

Interrupted sutures

This suture technique uses several strands of suture material to close the wound. After a stitch is made, the material is cut and tied off. This technique leads to a securely closed wound. If one of the stitches breaks, the remainder of the stitches will still hold the wound together.

Deep sutures

This type of suture is placed under the layers of tissue below (deep) to the skin. They may either be continuous or interrupted. This stitch is often used to close fascial layers.

Buried sutures

This type of suture is applied so that the suture knot is found inside (that is, under or within the area that is to be closed off). This type of suture is typically not removed and is useful when large sutures are used deeper in the body.

Purse-string sutures

This is a type of continuous suture that is placed around an area and tightened much like the drawstring on a bag. For example, this type of suture would be used in your intestines in order to secure an intestinal stapling device.

Subcutaneous sutures

These sutures are placed in your dermis, the layer of tissue that lies below the upper layer of your skin. Short stitches are placed in a line that is parallel to your wound. The stitches are then anchored at either end of the wound.