All About Medical Thread

Author

Dr. Stephen Cosentino

“Medical thread” is another term for surgical suture. Surgeons and other trained medical providers use sutures to close wounds caused by trauma or surgical intervention, repair damage to internal organs or structures, and perform minimally invasive cosmetic procedures like surgical thread lifts.

Laypeople may refer to medical thread as “stitches,” though this is technically incorrect. “Stitch” describes suture application — the technique used to stitch medical threads into the body.

Here’s what providers and patients must know about medical thread.

What Is Medical Thread?

Suture materials fall into two broad categories: absorbable and nonabsorbable (permanent). Within these categories, sutures may be natural or synthetic, though the distinction is largely academic and the two types are often used for similar purposes. Any suture approved for medical or veterinary use (medical-grade) is sterile.

Absorbable sutures dissolve in the body over time and don’t need to be removed in a clinical setting. Permanent sutures can remain in the body indefinitely but are generally removed by a surgeon once the healing process is far enough along that they’re no longer necessary.

Types of Medical Thread and Their Uses

Suture manufacturers produce a dizzying variety of medical threads, each with different strengths and use cases.

Types of Absorbable Sutures

Four types of natural and synthetic absorbable medical threads deserve mention:

Polydioxanone (PDO): This is the preferred suture type for cosmetic procedures like the PDO thread lift, which is less invasive than “traditional” plastic surgery and more permanent than injectable treatments like Botox® and dermal fillers.

Poliglecaprone (MONOCRYL): Providers appreciate this synthetic monofilament suture because it’s adept at closing wounds with minimal scarring.

Polyglactin (Vicryl): This synthetic braided suture is also used in fine skin applications, such as closing wounds on the hands and feet.

Gut: This natural monofilament suture is often used in gynecological applications. It’s not ideal for highly visible repairs since it tends to promote scarring.

Types of Nonabsorbable Sutures

Many nonabsorbable sutures are made from recognizable materials like nylon, polyester, and silk, albeit in much different form than clothing or curtains. One type of nonabsorbable suture material that’s not as well known is polypropylene — though it should be, as it’s a common component of consumer packaging.

Nonabsorbable sutures are appropriate for a variety of soft tissue applications, including fine work within the cardiovascular and nervous systems.

Medical Thread Techniques

Surgical suturing techniques vary according to the patient’s condition and prognosis, the wound’s depth and location, the treatment plan, and the provider’s own preference. Common techniques include:

Continuous sutures, which use a single length of material to make multiple stitches
Interrupted sutures, which use multiple shorter lengths to close larger wounds
Subcutaneous sutures, which are used to stitch deeper layers of skin
Fascia sutures, also known as deep sutures, which stitch tissue below the skin
Buried sutures, which close wounds deep within the body and are often permanent

Medical Thread Removal Guidelines

If not left to dissolve naturally, medical thread must be removed by a trained professional. The recommended amount of time the suture remains in the body depends on the procedure, location, and healing progress.

In general, sutures must remain longer in areas where they’re subject to frequent movement or position changes. For example, sutures in the face and scalp — relatively immobile parts of the body — can be removed within five to 10 days if healing permits. Sutures in the limbs typically must remain for 10 to 14 days, if not longer. Sutures in the hands and feet often remain for 14 to 21 days and may need to be checked at least once during that time.