The Surgical Needle
 
Desirable Needle Characteristics :

While suture material will remain embedded in the patient's tissues for days or weeks after the surgical procedure, the needle will only come in contact with the patient's tissues for a matter of seconds. But if the needle does not work properly, the sutures will not work properly

The ease of passage through tissue and the degree of trauma it causes impacts the results of surgical needle performance. This is especially true when precise cosmetic results are desired
 
The best surgical needles are :
  • Made of high quality stainless steel
    		•
  • As slim as possible without compromising strength
    		•
  • Stable in the grasp of a needle holder
    		•
  • Able to carry suture material through tissue with minimal trauma
    		•
  • Sharp enough to penetrate tissue with minimal resistance
    		•
  • Rigid enough to resist bending, yet ductile enough to resist breaking during surgery
    		•

  • Sterile and corrosion-resistant to prevent introduction of micro-organisms or foreign materials
        into the wound

    		•
     

    To maintain a proper perspective, we must also remember that variations in needle geometry are just as important as variations in suture sizes - and that needle dimensions must be compatible with suture sizes, allowing the two to work in tandem
     
    ADVANTAGES OF USING NEEDLED SUTURES :
    1. Minimum handling and preparation leading to maintenance or integrity of the suture

    2. Scrub nurse relieved of needle selection, sterilization, attachment and  thereby nurse time is
        saved
    3. Factory attached drilled end needles causes less trauma as compared to eyed needles
    4. Sharp, sterile, single use needles are available in each pack
    5. No premature unthreading
    6. Easy to locate, if accidentally dropped into tissue
     

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