This story defines sutures, explains their purpose, and differentiates them from common misconceptions.
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Ever wondered what "stitches" are? Medically, they're called sutures—a strand of material used to hold body tissues together after an injury or surgery.
Sutures are critical for wound closure. They keep the edges of the skin together, which: 1 - Minimizes scarring. 2 - Prevents infection. 3 - Supports the healing process.
A suture is more than just a needle and thread. It’s a sterile, specialized medical device. The needle is designed to pass through tissue, and the suture material can be natural or synthetic.
The main purpose is primary intention healing. This means the wound edges are perfectly aligned, allowing the wound to close cleanly with minimal tissue loss.
Sutures are divided into two main categories: Absorbable (dissolve in the body) and Non-Absorbable (must be removed). We'll dive into the types next!