Suture

Scalp

5-0/4-0 monofilament

ear

6-0 monofilament

Eyelid

7-0/6-0 monofilament

Eyebrow

6-0/5-0 monofilament

nose

6-0 monofilament

lip

6-0 absorbable monofilament

face / forehead

5-0/6-0 monofilament

trunk

3-0/5-0/4-0 monofilament

extremities

3-0/4-0 monofilament

hand

5-0 monofilament

foot/sole

4-0/3-0 monofilament

oral mucosa

5-0 absorbable monofilament

simple interrupted sutures

general tissue approximation, can be used for most wounds

simple running sutures

provides a faster closure and uses less suture, but is not as strong as interrupted stitches

used to close layers where there is little tension, but tight closure is required

All sutures are lost if 1 is removed

Horizontal mattress

This is done to evert the wound in high tension areas or if there is a flap of tissue

vertical mattress

Used when suturing a flap or closer DEEPER wounds (scalp), in which closure occurs at two levels (superficial and deep), eliminating dead space

*far/far/near/near

If:
-speed is important, fewer knots
-water-tight
-long wound
-even tension distribution (minimal to no overall tension)
-approximation of wound edges is good

Continuous running suture/ simple running suture

If:
-need suture with great tensile strength
-small wounds
-involve full-thickness of the skin
-if need to make selective adjustments of skin edges

Simple interrupted suture

If:
-decrease dead space
-use in high tension areas
-provides increase strength

-body site where wound edges tend to invert, ex: posterior neck or concave surfaces

Vertical mattress suture

If:
-decrease dead space
-use in high tension areas
-provides increase strength

-help to evert wound edges where skin naturally inverts

Horizontal mattress suture

far/far/near/near

vertical mattress