Development of Sutures over the years

A surgical suture, commonly known as a stitch, is a medical device that has been used over the years to hold the body tissues together after an injury or surgery. They have evolved through different shapes, sizes and materials to become efficient and modern version of themselves today. Used by surgeons, physicians, eye doctors, dentists, podiatrists, registered nurses and other medical professionals, they form a very important part of the equipment in a hospital setting.

Sutures have been documented in history as far back as 3000 BC in ancient Egyptian literature. During those times, they were made from plant materials such as cotton, hemp or animal parts such as tendons and arteries. Mentions of biological materials such as catgut sutures and even silk have been found. Catgut sutures refer to a fine thread woven from sheep intestines.

The problem with these was that they could absorb bodily fluid and were prone to infections. In the 1800s, it was understood that it was necessary to sterilise the catgut before using it as a suture. During the 1860s, a physician named Joseph Lister devised a technique to sterilise catgut, which was perfected in 1906. The technique of radiation finally was declared more effective than previous techniques.

The founder of gynaecology, J. Marion Sims was the inventor of silver wire, which was anti-bacterial and thus was better as a suture. Modern sutures are mostly synthetic, such as the ‘absorbables’- polyglycolic acid, polylactic acid monocryl, polydioxanone as well as the ‘non-absorbables’- polyester, PVDF and polypropylene. Triclosan-coated sutures were approved in 2002, and they have been proven effective in reducing the chances of wound infection.

Sutures today come in various sizes, specific to different kinds of wounds. They can either be absorbed by the body within 10 days to eight weeks or may be non-absorbable. What is required of them is that they must be strong enough to hold tissue securely but flexible enough so that it can be knotted. Moreover, they must also be hypoallergenic and must not allow fluids or infection-causing agents to penetrate the body along their tract.

The latest additions boast of laser technology and surgical glue for wound healing. These new materials not only quicken the process but also help in making the scars less visible. Yet, the basic concepts of a suture still stretch back to their earliest forms. To know more about Sutures India, one of the most prominent manufacturers of sutures in India, you can conduct online research or simply visit the website of a credible online retailer.

At Smart Medical Buyer, you can buy stethoscopes online along with other medical equipment including sutures, otoscopes, bp monitoring machines, thermometers etc. from world-renowned medical devices manufacturers like 3M Littmann, Welch Allyn etc.

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Created on Jun 19th 2019 04:28. Viewed 330 times.

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