Handbook on Surgical Sutures and Knots by Olajumoke Alice Ogunji, Zainab Jimoh, Isa Ngbede,O - HTML preview

TYPES OF NEEDLES

ATRAUMATIC NEEDLES

 Atraumatic sutures are defined as needle-suture combinations, where the needle is firmly attached to the suture in order to reduce tissue trauma.

SPRING-EYED NEEDLES 

Spring eye surgical needles are made of 300-series stainless steel. This generation of needles is characterised by optimum resistance to bending, the best possible ductility and outstanding tissue penetration. This guarantees safe and simple working conditions.

REVERSE CUTTING NEEDLE

These needles were created specifically for tough, difficult to penetrate tissue such as skin, tendon sheath, or oral mucosa. Reverse cutting needles are used in ophthalmic and cosmetic surgery where minimal trauma, early regeneration of tissue, and little scar formation are primary concerns.

 ADVANTAGES

• Reverse cutting needles have more strength than similar-sized conventional cutting needles.
• The danger of tissue cutout is greatly reduced.
• The hole left by the needle leaves a wide wall of tissue against which the suture is to be tied.

CONVENTIONAL CUTTING NEEDLES

In addition to the two cutting edges, conventional cutting needles have a third cutting edge on the inside concave curvature of the needle. The shape changes from a triangular cutting blade to that of a flattened body on both straight and curved needles. This needle type may be prone to cutout of tissue because the inside cutting edge cuts toward the edges of the incision or wound.