Hemostasis & Suture Techniques Flashcards
7 cards from real CFA practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Hemostasis & Suture Techniques flashcards as text
Which layer of the abdominal wall provides the greatest tensile strength and is most critical to include in fascial closure?
Answer: The anterior and/or posterior rectus sheath
The rectus sheath (anterior and/or posterior) is the strongest layer of the abdominal wall and must be securely closed to prevent dehiscence or hernia formation.
Argon beam coagulation (ABC) is especially useful because it:
Answer: Creates a non-contact ionized gas layer that allows hemostasis over a broad surface
The argon gas jet carries monopolar current to the tissue surface without direct contact, enabling rapid coagulation of large, oozing surfaces like the liver parenchyma.
A 'stick tie' (suture ligature) is used instead of a free tie primarily to:
Answer: Prevent the ligature from slipping off a short or bulky vascular pedicle
A stick tie passes the suture through the vessel pedicle, anchoring it so it cannot slip off a short stump or large vascular bundle.
Silk suture is classified as:
Answer: Non-absorbable braided natural
Silk is a non-absorbable braided natural protein suture derived from silkworm fibers, known for excellent handling but high tissue reactivity.
During open cardiac surgery, sternal closure typically uses which type of suture/fixation material?
Answer: Stainless steel wire
Stainless steel wire (cerclage wires) is the standard for sternal closure because of its strength, rigidity, and resistance to the mechanical stresses of respiration.
When clamping a bleeding mesenteric vessel during bowel resection, the clamp should be placed:
Answer: Perpendicular to and just proximal to the bleeding site, with a second clamp distal
Two clamps are placed perpendicular to the vessel—one proximal and one distal to the bleeding point—to control flow from both sides before ligation.
The interrupted Halsted suture (simple interrupted) is favored for skin closure primarily because:
Answer: Each suture is independent, preventing a single failure from opening the entire wound
Because each interrupted suture is tied separately, failure or infection at one point does not compromise the entire closure—the wound remains secure at all other sites.