The term "interrupted suture" is a medical jargon used to describe a type of surgical stitch. The word "interrupted" is pronounced as /ɪntəˈrʌptɪd/ in IPA phonetic transcription. The first syllable "in" is pronounced as "ihn" with a short "i" sound while "ter" is pronounced as "tuh" with a short "u" sound. The second syllable "rupted" is pronounced as "ruhp-tid" with emphasis on the second syllable. This type of suture is used to close wounds or surgical incisions by tying individual stitches rather than a continuous thread, allowing for greater control and precision.
An interrupted suture refers to a surgical technique used in the closure of wounds or incisions, where a series of individual and separate stitches are made along the wound edge. Each stitch is created by passing the needle and suture material through one side of the incision, then crossing over to the other side, followed by another pass through the skin. This process is repeated multiple times until the entire length of the wound is appropriately closed.
Interrupted sutures are often preferred in situations where precise alignment and wound edge approximation are crucial. Unlike continuous sutures, interrupted sutures provide more control over tension, allowing the surgeon to fine-tune each individual stitch to achieve an optimal wound closure. This technique is particularly useful in areas where cosmetic appearance is important, such as facial or cosmetic surgeries.
The interrupted suture method also offers advantages over continuous sutures when it comes to wound security. In the event that one suture fails or becomes loose, the remaining intact sutures still maintain wound closure, reducing the risk of dehiscence (wound opening) and potential wound complications.
Moreover, interrupted sutures may provide better hemostasis as each stitch can be independently tightened, therefore reducing the chance of bleeding from the wound edges. It also facilitates easier removal of the sutures, as each stitch can be taken out individually without disrupting the overall closure.
Overall, interrupted sutures are a valuable technique frequently employed by surgeons to achieve precise wound closure, optimal tension, improved wound security, and better cosmetic outcomes.
See cut.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
The word "interrupted suture" is a combination of the words "interrupted" and "suture".
The term "interrupted" comes from the Latin word "interruptus", which means "broken" or "separated". In the medical context, an interrupted suture refers to a technique of using separate, individual stitches to close a wound or incision, as opposed to a continuous or running suture where the thread is continuous throughout.
The term "suture" originates from the Latin word "sutura", which means "seam" or "stitch". It refers to the process of joining together body tissues, typically accomplished by using a needle and thread to sew or stitch the tissues.
Therefore, the term "interrupted suture" is a combination of these two words, describing a method of wound closure using individual, separate stitches.