Correlation of Suture Diameter With Its Ability to Cut Through an Artificial Skin Model.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Sutures can tear through tissue, but little data exist on the relative ability of different suture gauges and suture types to cut into the skin. OBJECTIVE: To quantify the relative ability of various sutures to cut into and tear through the skin. METHODS AND MATERIALS We tested 4 suture types (polypropylene, nylon, polyglactin 910, and poliglecaprone 25) at 2 gauges each (3-0 and 5-0) in their ability to cut into and tear through an artificial skin substitute comprised of a 1-mm thick silicone sheet. The force required to cut into and through the skin substitute was measured using a digital force gauge that generated a force-time curve. The suture diameters were verified using both a precision caliper micrometer and an eyepiece micrometer with the microscope. Statistical analysis was performed using the Student t-test and analysis of variance. RESULTS: All 5-0 suture types required less force to cut into and tear through the skin substitute than their 3-0 counterparts. Among each suture gauge, there was no significant difference in tear-through force regardless of the suture type. CONCLUSION: Compared with larger gauge sutures, smaller gauge sutures more easily cut into and tear through skin substitute.