Certified Surgical Technologist Wound Closure and Postoperative Management 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which of the following suture materials is absorbable?
- Nylon (Ethilon)
- Polypropylene (Prolene)
- Polyglactin (Vicryl) (Correct answer)
- Silk
Correct answer: Polyglactin (Vicryl)
Polyglactin (Vicryl) is a synthetic absorbable suture that is broken down by hydrolysis over approximately 56–70 days.
Question 2: The primary advantage of monofilament sutures over braided (multifilament) sutures is:
- Greater tensile strength and knot security
- Less tissue drag and reduced risk of harboring infection (Correct answer)
- Easier handling and tying
- Longer absorption time
Correct answer: Less tissue drag and reduced risk of harboring infection
Monofilament sutures have a smooth surface that produces less tissue drag and fewer interstices where bacteria can colonize, lowering infection risk.
Question 3: What does the 'size' designation of a suture (e.g., 2-0, 4-0) indicate?
- Length of the suture strand
- Diameter of the suture material (Correct answer)
- Tensile strength in newtons
- Estimated absorption time in days
Correct answer: Diameter of the suture material
Suture size refers to the diameter of the strand; higher numbers after a dash (e.g., 4-0) indicate smaller diameter sutures.
Question 4: Retention (tension) sutures are used primarily to:
- Close subcutaneous fatty tissue
- Provide additional support to a wound at high risk for dehiscence (Correct answer)
- Mark the surgical site before incision
- Ligate blood vessels
Correct answer: Provide additional support to a wound at high risk for dehiscence
Retention sutures are large, widely placed sutures that reinforce fascial closure in obese, malnourished, or high-risk patients to prevent wound dehiscence.
Question 5: Skin staples used for wound closure are primarily composed of:
- Titanium alloy
- Stainless steel (Correct answer)
- Absorbable polymer
- Chrome-cobalt alloy
Correct answer: Stainless steel
Standard surgical skin staples are made of stainless steel, which is biocompatible, strong, and causes minimal tissue reaction.
Question 6: Which closure technique describes suturing the wound in discrete individual loops, each tied separately?
- Running (continuous) suture
- Interrupted suture (Correct answer)
- Purse-string suture
- Figure-of-eight suture
Correct answer: Interrupted suture
Interrupted sutures are placed as separate loops; if one suture fails, the others maintain wound integrity — preferred in infected or high-risk wounds.
Certified Surgical Technologist Wound Closure and Postoperative Management 1
Which of the following suture materials is absorbable?