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Closing the Gap: Best Practices in Wound Closure Techniques for Various Specialties

May 29, 2024

Introduction

Wound closure is a fundamental aspect of surgical and medical care, crucial for promoting healing, reducing the risk of infection, and minimizing scarring. Different medical specialties encounter various types of wounds, each requiring specific closure techniques to achieve optimal outcomes. This blog explores the best practices in wound closure, tailored for clinicians across multiple specialties, to enhance patient care and healing efficiency. We will also highlight the advanced suturing products from MYCO Medical that can aid in achieving these goals.

Understanding Wound Types and Healing

Acute wounds are typically caused by trauma or surgical procedures and generally follow a predictable healing process. These include lacerations, incisions, and abrasions, which often heal promptly if managed properly. In contrast, chronic wounds are often associated with underlying conditions such as diabetes, vascular insufficiency, or prolonged pressure like those in critically ill patients. Examples of chronic wounds include ulcers and non-healing surgical wounds, which require a more complex approach to closure and care due to their prolonged and often complicated healing phases.

Understanding the phases of wound healing—hemostasis, inflammation, proliferation, and remodeling—is essential for effective wound closure. Each phase has distinct characteristics and needs that influence closure technique and timing.

Best Practices in Wound Closure

Proper Assessment and Preparation

It is important to do a comprehensive assessment before closing a wound. Assess the size and depth of the wound to ascertain the degree of tissue damage and the recommended closure technique. Examine the wound for foreign objects and contamination, making sure it is thoroughly cleaned to lower the risk of infection. Hemostasis is essential; a stable environment for wound closure is ensured by efficiently managing bleeding using methods including direct pressure, hemostatic agents, or cautery.

Choosing the Right Closure Technique

Different wounds and specialties require specific closure techniques. Sutures are often used for deep wounds and high-tension areas, such as surgical incisions. Sutures can be made from absorbable materials like polyglycolic acid, which degrade naturally in the body, or non-absorbable materials like nylon, which require removal after the wound heals. Techniques include interrupted sutures for precision and strength and continuous sutures for efficiency and even tension distribution.

MYCO Medical offers a variety of suturing products designed to meet these needs:

The Reli® PRO REDISORB®  Absorbable Coated, Braided, PGLA Synthetic Suture with Needle shares similar features to all Reli® PRO Suture line, including low-memory packaging and stainless steel needles, with the added benefit of being absorbable, making it ideal for internal tissues where long-term suture presence is undesirable.

The Reli® PRO REDIGUT® CHROMIC  Absorbable Chromic Treated, Twisted, Natural Gut Suture with Needle combines the benefits of absorbable natural gut with chromic treatment, providing extended strength and reduced absorption rate.

Staples are indicated for scalp lacerations and surgical wounds in high-tension areas, offering quick application and strong closure. However, they may cause more scarring and are best used in areas with good cosmetic tolerance. 

Adhesive tapes and strips are suitable for superficial lacerations and low-tension areas. These are non-invasive and easy to apply, resulting in minimal scarring, but are less secure than sutures or staples.

Tissue adhesives are ideal for small, clean cuts, facial wounds, and pediatric patients. They offer quick, painless application and good cosmetic outcomes but are not suitable for high-tension or deep wounds. 

Advanced closure techniques such as wound vacuum-assisted closure (VAC) promote faster healing through negative pressure, while dermal and epidermal grafting are used for extensive tissue loss, such as burns or chronic ulcers.

Specialty-Specific Considerations

Emergency Medicine

In emergency settings, rapid assessment and closure are critical. For lacerations, quick but thorough cleaning followed by sutures or staples is essential for deep wounds. Facial injuries, which require minimal scarring, benefit from tissue adhesives that offer excellent cosmetic outcomes.

Surgery

Surgeons must consider both immediate closure and long-term outcomes. In abdominal surgery, layered closure techniques ensure strength and reduce the risk of hernias. For orthopedic surgery, strong, durable closure supports healing in high-mobility areas, ensuring the integrity and functionality of the repaired structures.

The REDISORB® Absorbable Coated, Braided, PGLA Synthetic Suture with Needle would be a good choice as it is suitable for internal tissues where long-term suture presence is undesirable, supports healing and reduces the need for suture removal.

Dermatology

Dermatologists focus on cosmetic outcomes and minimizing scarring. For skin biopsies, techniques like punch biopsy with minimal sutures help reduce scarring. In cosmetic procedures, the use of fine sutures and tissue adhesives enhances healing and appearance, achieving the desired aesthetic results.

The REDIGUT® CHROMIC Absorbable Chromic Treated, Twisted, Natural Gut Suture with Needle combines natural absorbable properties with chromic treatment for extended strength, ideal for cosmetic procedures requiring minimal scarring.

Pediatrics

Children’s skin heals differently and requires gentle techniques. For superficial wounds, adhesive strips and tissue adhesives reduce trauma, providing a less invasive and distressing experience. For deep wounds, absorbable sutures are used to avoid the need for removal, minimizing distress and promoting healing.

REDISORB® Absorbable Coated, Braided, PGLA Synthetic Suture with Needle would benefit pediatrics as these sutures minimize the need for removal, making them ideal for pediatric patients to reduce distress and promote healing.

Post-Closure Care and Monitoring

Effective wound closure extends beyond the initial procedure. Appropriate dressing choices protect the wound and support healing. Infection prevention through antibiotics and antiseptic measures is vital. Regular follow-up monitoring detects complications early, ensuring proper healing. Patient education on wound care, signs of infection, and when to seek further medical attention empowers patients to take an active role in their recovery.

Empowering Healthcare Professionals with Advanced Tools and Training

Utilization of Advanced Tools

Modern wound closure techniques benefit from advanced tools and materials. Innovative sutures and staples, such as those offered by MYCO Medical, utilize biocompatible and durable materials. Minimally invasive devices allow for precise, less traumatic wound closure. MYCO Medical's sutures, produced in ISO 13485 certified facilities, combine advanced technology with rigorous quality control to offer reliable and effective wound closure solutions. The company's use of 300 Series stainless steel needles, RediPass™ needle coating, and comprehensive in-line inspection processes ensure that each suture meets the highest standards of strength, precision, and safety.

Comprehensive Training and Continuing Education

Healthcare professionals must stay informed about the latest advancements and best practices. Regular training sessions, workshops, and seminars on new techniques and tools are essential. Interdisciplinary collaboration, where knowledge is shared across specialties, enhances overall patient care and ensures that all team members are equipped with the latest skills and information.

Collaborating and Evaluating to Drive Continuous Improvement

Collaboration among various specialties ensures comprehensive care. A team approach, combining expertise from surgeons, dermatologists, and other specialists, optimizes wound closure and healing. Regular meetings and discussions to share experiences and improve techniques foster an environment of continuous learning and improvement.

Ongoing evaluation of wound closure practices ensures continuous improvement. Regular audits and reviews assess outcomes, identifying areas for improvement. Incorporating patient feedback refines techniques and enhances care quality, ensuring that practices evolve to meet the highest standards of patient care.

Conclusion

Adopting best practices in wound closure is essential for improving patient outcomes across various medical specialties. Proper assessment, choosing the right closure technique, and providing comprehensive post-closure care are critical steps in ensuring successful healing. By leveraging advanced tools, continuous education, and interdisciplinary collaboration, healthcare professionals can achieve the highest standards in wound closure, ultimately enhancing patient care and recovery. MYCO Medical's innovative suturing products, with their superior design and rigorous quality control, exemplify the tools that can help achieve these goals. Through a commitment to continuous improvement, the healthcare industry can close the gap in wound care, ensuring optimal healing for all patients.

Get Absorbable and Non-absorbable Sutures from MYCO Medical

MYCO Medical is an NMSDC-certified diversity supplier that delivers premium medical devices and disposables to health systems throughout the United States and Canada. Since 1993, we've helped countless hospitals and care centers overcome their most significant supply chain challenges and build a consistent stream of high-quality medical supplies.

Our Wound Closure Portfolio offers a wide selection of absorbable and non-absorbable sutures for use in surgery, acute care, obstetrics, dentistry, dermatology, family medicine, veterinary care, and more.

Browse from our wide selection of products, including absorbable sutures, non-absorbable sutures, needles, and more, or contact our sales team today and receive a free complimentary sample and quote for our most popular products.

Browse Wound Closure Products from MYCO Medical

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