CST Suture & Staple Materials 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which suture material is derived from the submucosa of sheep intestine?
- Chromic gut
- Plain gut (Correct answer)
- Vicryl
- Monocryl
Correct answer: Plain gut
Plain gut suture is made from the submucosal layer of sheep intestine or the serosal layer of beef intestine.
Question 2: What is the primary advantage of monofilament suture over multifilament suture?
- Greater tensile strength
- Reduced tissue drag and infection risk (Correct answer)
- Faster absorption rate
- Easier handling
Correct answer: Reduced tissue drag and infection risk
Monofilament sutures have a smooth surface that reduces tissue drag and harbor fewer bacteria, lowering infection risk.
Question 3: Which absorbable suture retains tensile strength the longest?
- Plain gut
- Chromic gut
- PDS II (polydioxanone) (Correct answer)
- Vicryl (polyglactin 910)
Correct answer: PDS II (polydioxanone)
PDS II retains approximately 70% tensile strength at 2 weeks and 50% at 4 weeks, lasting longer than gut or Vicryl.
Question 4: A surgeon requests 2-0 Prolene for a vascular anastomosis. What color is this suture typically packaged in?
- Green
- Violet
- Blue (Correct answer)
- Clear
Correct answer: Blue
Prolene (polypropylene) suture is dyed blue to enhance visibility in tissue.
Question 5: Surgical staples used for skin closure are typically made of which material?
- Titanium
- Stainless steel (Correct answer)
- Absorbable polymer
- Chromic steel
Correct answer: Stainless steel
Skin staples are most commonly made of stainless steel, which is strong, inert, and easily removed.
Question 6: Which suture size is the largest in diameter?
- 5-0
- 2-0
- 0
- 2 (Correct answer)
Correct answer: 2
In the USP sizing system, larger numbers on the whole-number side (2, 3, 4) indicate larger diameter sutures.
Question 7: What term describes a suture needle with the suture material swaged directly into the needle end?
- Eyed needle
- Atraumatic needle (Correct answer)
- Keith needle
- French eye needle
Correct answer: Atraumatic needle
An atraumatic (swaged) needle has suture material factory-attached, creating a continuous unit that minimizes tissue trauma compared to threaded eyed needles.
CST Suture & Staple Materials 2
Which suture material is derived from the submucosa of sheep intestine?