Laboratory Guide: Simple Interrupted and Simple Continuous Suture Patterns

What are the DO’s for General Best Practices for All Suture Patterns: Tissue Handling

• Handle tissues gently.

• Use instruments rather than fingers whenever possible where appropriate.

• Place bites at equal distances from the wound edge.

• Maintain consistent bite depth and width.

• Apply only enough tension to bring tissues together.

What are the DON’T for General Best Practices for All Suture Patterns: Tissue Handling

• Crush tissue with instruments.

• Place excessive tension on sutures.

• Invert or excessively evert tissue unintentionally.

• Leave large gaps between sutures.

• Create tissue strangulation through overly tight knots.

Recommended Spacing For most skin closures:

• Distance from wound edge: approximately equal to tissue thickness or 3-5 mm

• Distance between sutures:

o Simple interrupted: 5-10 mm apart

o Simple continuous: 3-8 mm apart

Pattern 1: Simple Interrupted Suture Description, indications

Description

The simple interrupted pattern consists of individual stitches tied and cut separately. Each suture

functions independently of adjacent sutures.

Indications

Simple interrupted sutures are commonly used for:

Pattern 1: Simple Interrupted Suture

Advantages

• Excellent security

• Failure of one knot does not compromise the entire closure

• Precise tension adjustment at each stitch

• Useful in contaminated wounds

• Easy removal of selected sutures if needed

Disadvantages

• Slower to place

• Requires more suture material

• Increased foreign material in tissues

• More knots present in closure

When do we use Pattern 1: Simple Interrupted Suture

Skin Closure

• Routine skin incisions

• Traumatic lacerations

• Areas with moderate tension

Subcutaneous Closure

• Dead space reduction

• Localized tissue apposition

General Soft Tissue Surgery

• When precise tension adjustment is desired

• When contamination is present

Simple Interrupted Choose when:

• Maximum security is required

• Individual tension adjustment is important

• Wounds are contaminated

• Selective suture removal may be needed

Simple Interrupted, Clinical Examples

• Dog skin closure following ovariohysterectomy

• Laceration repair

• Traumatic wound management

Simple Continuous when do we use it

• Closure speed is important

• Long incisions are present

• Tissue tension is low

• Reducing suture bulk is desirable

Simple Continuous what are the clinical examples

• Subcutaneous closure after spay surgery

• Fascial closure in routine procedures

• Bladder closure

Common Student Errors for Simple Interrupted

• Unequal bite size

• Excessive tension

• Incomplete square knots

• Uneven spacing

• Large suture tails

Common Student Errors for Simple Continuous

• Inconsistent tension

• Failure to maintain equal bite geometry

• Purse-stringing tissue

• Inadequate starting knot

• Inadequate locking of final knot