How To Suture: Intro To Suturing Like a Surgeon

Introduction and Overview

In this video, the surgeon provides a quick guide to suturing. The video introduces a suture kit provided by Medical Creations and covers the basics of suturing techniques.

How to Put the Needle on the Needle Driver

• Hold the needle driver at about a 90-degree angle or slightly angled forward.

• Place your thumb and ring finger in the needle driver for stability.

• Alternatively, palm the needle driver for more freedom of movement.

Using a Toothed Pickup for Skin Suturing

• Use a toothed pickup specifically designed for skin sutures.

• Position your finger close to the tip of the needle driver for stability.

• Twist your wrist to insert the needle at a 90-degree angle to the skin.

Closing Incisions with Two Bites

• Insert the needle into the tissue at your desired depth.

• Pull out the needle slightly and grab it where you want to place your next bite.

• Twist your wrist while pulling up slowly to prepare for the next bite.

Holding Tissue with Forceps Instead of Needle

• Hold onto the tissue with forceps rather than holding onto the needle itself.

• This ensures stability and prevents accidental movement of the needle.

Managing Excess Suture Length

• Avoid letting excess suture length dangle or touch unsterile surfaces.

• Use forceps to hold onto excess suture length while keeping it straight up.

Tying Off Sutures

• Hold both ends of suture material using forceps in one hand and palm them together.

• Wrap two loops around both ends before tightening, ensuring enough length is left for further manipulation.

Suturing Techniques

In this section, the speaker demonstrates and explains the technique of suturing. They discuss how to pull the suture through, lay it down, and approximate the tissue without strangulating it. The speaker also shows how to secure the suture with a square knot and emphasizes the importance of practicing proper hand positioning.

Suturing Technique

• The speaker demonstrates making a loop with the suture and pulling it through to secure it.

• They explain that they will be making a square knot by going back and forth.

• The speaker continues suturing while explaining different types of sutures and stitches.

• They mention that palm rotation can help with maneuvering during suturing.

• The speaker demonstrates another technique using just one bite cross.

• They explain how to hold the tissue to keep the needle in place while suturing.

• The speaker advises against touching the needle too much to minimize the risk of injury.

• They demonstrate how to grasp and raise the suture for easier needle pickup.

• The speaker introduces a figure eight suture stitch used for ligating blood vessels or abdominal incisions.

• They show how to create an "eight" shape with the suture and secure it with a snap.

Conclusion

The video provides an introduction to basic suturing techniques, including securing sutures, creating square knots, and performing figure eight stitches. It emphasizes proper hand positioning, minimizing needle handling, and practicing different techniques for various situations.