Product Manual

Mechanical trauma to the suture by surgical instruments can also result in
suture failure. Nichols et al
29
cautioned surgeons about the handling of
sutures by surgical instruments. They indicated that either the application of
clamps and forceps to the suture or rough handling of sutures could damage
and weaken them. Stamp et al
30
incriminated the teeth in the needle holder
jaws as important causal factors of sutural damage. Compression of sutures
between the needle holder jaws with teeth produced morphologic changes in
sutures that resulted in a marked reduction in the suture breaking strength.
Similarly, the sharp edges of needle holder jaws without teeth can even crush
the suture and, thereby, decrease its strength.
31
Finally application of large
compressive loads by pinching polypropylene sutures with DeBakey forceps
decreases the strength of the suture.
32
mechanical trauma
35