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Equipment / Instruments

Unit 11: Sutures & Other Materials

Topic 3: Packaging

Most sutures are available in individual packs or in a multi-use cassette. Whilst cassettes provide a cheaper source of suture material, there is a greater potential for sterility breakdown.

Suture materials contained in cassettes are also subject to less quality controls. The necessity to use eyed needles increases tissue trauma during suture placement.

Ethicon has recently introduced the "Relay pack" which reduces the tightness of the coil of the packaged material. Tyco also produce some sutures such as Surgilene in straight packs to reduce the effect of memory on suture placement.