Internal suture question for Josephine

[summerwind]

How long does it take for the Vicryl sutures used internally to disolve?

I know that these internal sutures are used to close the quad's and arthrotomy after the procedure is done but was wondering (its a Data Complusive thing!! ) if these sutures limit ROM in the beginning until they disolve.

 

[jb94102]

good question i have those as well hummmmmm ?

 

[Josephine]

Not the sutures but the incision is what limits, meaning the trauma to the tissues.

Vicryl is Polyglactin or fruit glucose! A great innovation and the first to provide us with an alternative to catgut. The rate of absorbency is greatly affected by the thickness of the thread, being from ultra fine to very thick, and which tissues it is placed in. Interestingly enough, American surgeons use a lot finer sutures than do those in the UK!

After that sublime piece of waffle, I would venture to say that assuming your surgeon did, in fact, use a finer thread like a 2/0, then the sutures would likely have been absorbed within a 3 week period. However, if he used a thicker thread such as a 1.0, then it could take up to 5 weeks to be absorbed.

However, all of this is academic as you shouldn't be aware of internal sutures in the same way you are aware of skin sutures since muscles and ligaments don't actually have any sensory nerve endings!!

 

[summerwind]

Thanks Josephine..

From the surgical records (something we Data Compulsives request for our personal files after we leave the hospital)

The quadriceps and arthrotomy were closed with a #1 Vicryl, a 2-0 Vicryl was used on the subcutaneous layer

 

[Josephine]

Yep - that would be what we use in the UK. #1 is fairly thick - about the thickness of hair spaghetti! and 2/0 is about the thickness sewing cotton. The subcutaneous layer is the few mms of fat under the skin.