Tech in Surgery Prep / Unit 20 TSC 480 worked example, 60 to 90 seconds
Suture Sizes
The idea
Suture size describes the thickness of the strand, and the numbering runs in two directions from zero.
In practice
Learn the scale in order. First, sizes above zero, such as one, two and three, get thicker as the number rises. Second, sizes below zero are written with zeros, such as two-zero, three-zero and four-zero, and they get thinner as the zeros increase, so four-zero is finer than three-zero. Third, heavy sizes are used for tough, high-tension tissue such as fascia; fine sizes are used for delicate tissue and skin. Fourth, the finest sizes, many zeros, are used in eye and microsurgery. Fifth, the size is printed on the package, and it is read before opening.
Where people slip
The two directions are a common source of mistakes. Read the whole size, including how many zeros, before you open a package; a three-zero and a three are very different sutures.
Your place on the trail
Every lesson rests on earlier ones and opens later ones. Tap any to jump.
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