Types of Suturing Techniques

1. Simple Interrupted Suture

• Most commonly used technique
• Each stitch is placed and tied individually
• Easy to adjust tension, remove selectively
• Good for skin closure and contaminated wounds

2. Continuous (Running) Suture

• Single thread runs along the wound with multiple loops
• Faster to place than interrupted
• Subtypes: simple running, locking (blanket) stitch
• Used for fascia, peritoneum, and long lacerations

3. Vertical Mattress Suture

• Deep U-shaped bite + superficial surface loop
• Excellent for everting wound edges and reducing dead space
• Ideal for areas under high tension (back, scalp)

4. Horizontal Mattress Suture

• Two parallel bites placed horizontally
• Provides strong tension distribution
• Used in thick or tough tissues; can cause ischemia if too tight

5. Figure-of-Eight Suture

• Two crossing loops forming a figure-8 pattern
• Very strong - used for fascia, tendon repairs, and sternum closure
• Excellent for tissues requiring high holding strength

6. Subcuticular (Intradermal) Suture

• Thread runs horizontally just below the epidermis
• Produces the best cosmetic result - no external suture marks
• Used for clean elective incisions and facial wounds
• Can use absorbable or non-absorbable material