When it comes to overall wound care and health, suturing kits play an instrumental role in outcomes and objectives. These vital surgical tools and supplies are necessary for patients and providers, as these kits make it much easier to handle proper, safe, and ethical wound management.

The most common area of concern is whether the wound site is at risk of infection. But with a quality set of tools provided in a professional-grade suturing kit, providers and patients can rest assured the risk of infection is relatively low. In this article, we discuss the primary components included in a medical suturing kit and why your practice can benefit from having multiple kits on demand.

What Are Suture Kits?

A suture kit, also known as a comprehensive first aid kit, is an extension of the basic first aid kit. It allows for wound management execution in emergency scenarios or situations where minor wounds occur.

Not all suture kits are equal. For example, some contain just a needle and thread. Others contain a complete list of first aid supplies that might be excessive for home use by a patient. However, it’s critical for a medical practice to ensure their kits are complete so that they can offer the highest quality of wound management.

The Benefits of a Suture Kit

Because the primary function of a suture kit is to assist in administering thorough and emergent care to a wound, the most significant benefit is the flexibility and responsiveness this convenient option offers. Regardless of circumstances that lead to the need for a suture kit, the outcomes and primary objectives are the same. Assess the patient, treat the wound, and seal the injury. A comprehensive medical suture kit can achieve all these needs.

Essentials for a Complete Kit

So, what can you find in a comprehensive medical suturing kit? At the basic level, you can expect the following in a complete suturing kit.

• Suturing scissors
• Toothed forceps
• A needle holder
• Needles
• Scalpels
• Absorbable and non-absorbable sutures
• Hemostats

The Functions of Suture Kit Tools

Each tool within the suture kit serves a specific purpose. Understanding each tool’s role allows for more efficient and effective implementation of the medical suturing kit as a whole.

A scalpel in a suture kit helps providers remove excess debris from the wound site and deter infection. Keeping the wound clean is paramount to patient outcomes. Scalpels can also contribute significantly to clean, precise cuts that may be necessary. A clean cut will help the healing process and aid in the formation of healthy scar tissue.

Providers can also remove debris or create clean cuts with forceps or probes. These are included in some suture kits to factor in provider preference and flexibility while administering care.

The scissors included in suture kits play a significant role as well. If a wound has harsh edges or jagged corners, the scissors can help cut the skin back to create clean lines. Unlike a scalpel, the scissors allow for enhanced accuracy when caring for a jagged piece of skin, and they can help prepare the wound site for sealing. Suture scissors are also vital for cutting the threading, but this function can vary based on thread type.

Understanding the Materials

The materials used in suture kits will weigh heavily on the patient’s ability to heal from the wound. A comprehensive medical suture kit can include two different types of sutures, absorbable and non-absorbable. The wound itself will dictate which kind of suture to use; minor lacerations can handle non-absorbable sutures, and deep tissue cuts will need absorbable sutures.

For patients with minor skin lacerations, where depth is not a concerning factor, non-absorbable sutures are practical and usually recommended. Non-absorbable sutures can sustain their strength for up to two months. Most often, non-absorbable sutures use durable polymer threading. In almost all cases, the non-absorbable suture will only work to close a wound at the skin’s surface. The provider will also need to remove it once the healing process finishes.

Absorbable sutures will not require a separate removal process and typically work best for deep tissue wounds. This type of suture will lose strength over time, generally before two months, and will absorb into the patient’s body. In many cases, the threading for absorbable sutures is an animal intestine that absorbs quickly and effortlessly into human tissue. When a deep tissue wound occurs, the sutures will require a longer stay in the patient’s body.

Understanding the Needles

With the primary objective of a suture kit being to treat and seal a wound in a timely fashion, you can expect to find needles in all kits. But there are two distinct types to look for: cutting and non-cutting needles.

• Cutting needles: Cutting needles are generally the preference for a wound at the skin’s surface. This will puncture the skin and make a clean pass.
• Non-cutting needles: Non-cutting needles require more force than cutting needles and generally work well for repairing organs or subcutaneous closures.

It’s essential to note that the needles included in a suture kit hold specific functions, and getting the needle correct is an integral part of proper wound management.

Things To Consider When Buying a Suture Kit

One of the most crucial factors to consider when buying a suture kit is how complete it is. Ask yourself precisely what you expect to use the suture kit for, then evaluate if the kit fills these gaps. Most often, a comprehensive kit is the most suitable option for all practices and providers because it provides every tool necessary. The complete nature of these kits allows providers to rely on the same kit no matter the situation.

There might also be an instance where you used the suture kit and need to replace some of the necessary tools. If you find yourself in need of surgical equipment, partner with a premium medical tools supplier to ensure you have access to the highest quality tools.

Here at Cascade Health Care, we carry a full range of tools and supplies to complete your existing suture kit. We also offer a selection of complete suture kits designed with preparedness in mind. Contact us today to learn more about the different ways we can serve you!