Suture Kit

U.S. Military Suture & Surgical Kit

A person who can mend a seam has the rudimentary skills to suture a wound. Learning how to suture cuts is not as difficult as people think. The most difficult part of learning to suture is determining which stitch to use where and what size needle and thread.

When a person gets injured with a deep cut or gash they have 12 hours to get the wound sutured. After 12 hours additional steps must be taken to avoid infection and to ensure a properly closed wound. Cleaning the wound prior to closing is a must. All debris must be removed and the wound soaked or washed with an antiseptic antibacterial solution.

If the wound has nice straight edges it can be sutured right away. If the edges of the wound are jagged you will have to carefully cut the skin so that each side of the wound is straight. Jagged edges do not heal well and leave thick scar tissue.

Surgical scissors are part of most surgical kits. They are used to clean up the edges of jagged wounds as well as to cut the suture thread.

Hospital Grade Sutures

Once the wound is prepared it is ready to be closed. Surgical needles are very sharp and can puncture your fingers. Using hemostats to hold and pull the needle through the skin is advised. A good suture kit will contain each of these items. 

The depth and length of the wound must be considered when figuring out how many sutures a wound might need. Wounds around joints will require longer, stronger and more sutures than cut on non-moving areas.

Keep a chart of the various types of knots in your suture kit. Qualified medical personnel will not need the chart but should you find yourself in an emergency situation where you are someone’s only option you may need that information.

• How to Suture
• Suture Kits
• Build Your Own Kit for Suturing

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