Suture Needles

There are two broad classifications of needles: curved and straight. A
straight needle can be used without instruments. Acurved needle must
be handled with forceps and a needle holder.
Although hand sewing with a straight needle does not require forceps,
the technique is cumbersome and entails a much higher risk of accidentally
sticking yourself. Hence, suturing with a straight needle is


2 Practical Plastic Surgery for Nonsurgeons
uncommon and not recommended if curved needles are available.
Generally, forceps and needle holders are available, and a curved
needle is used for suturing. There are two types of curved needles.
Cutting Needle. A cutting needle is used primarily for suturing the
skin. It has a very sharp tip with sharp edges, which are needed to pass
through the skin. Since you will place primarily skin sutures, you generally
will use a cutting needle.
Tapered Needle. Tapered needles, or “round-bodied” needles, have
a sharp tip with smooth edges and are less traumatic to the surrounding
tissues. They are used primarily on the deeper, subcutaneous tissues,
blood vessels, and intestinal anastomoses. Atapered needle is not
good for simple skin suturing because it is difficult to pass the tapered
needle through the skin.
Suture Sizes
Sutures come in various sizes. The bigger the suture material, usually
the bigger the needle. The sizing of sutures is similar to the sizing of
needles for injection: the bigger the number, the smaller the size of the
suture. Suture sizes range from 00 (very large, used to close the abdominal
wall—about the size of large fishing line) to 10-0 (very tiny, used
for microvascular anastomoses—as fine as a human hair). You generally
will use sizes in the middle range: 3-0 to 5-0.
It is best to use small sutures on the face, such as 5-0 or 6-0. Smaller sutures
are associated with decreased scarring, which is a concern with
facial wounds. (See chapter 16, “Facial Lacerations,” for more specific
details.) On areas where cosmetic concerns are less important, 3-0 or 4-
0 sutures are best, because the larger size makes the technique easier
and the thicker sutures are stronger. The tendency is to use smaller sutures
on children because of their more delicate skin. Rarely do you
need anything larger than a 4-0 suture.



A, Tapered needle used for suturing subcutaneous tissue, fascia, and other
deep structures. B, Cutting needle used for suturing skin. Note the difference
specifically around the tip of each needle.