Sutures and Wound Repair/ General Surgery (ABSA) Practice Test

Which of the following would weaken a suture?

1. Soaking in saline

2. Testing tensile strength

3. Straightening it

4. All of the above

The correct answer is: All of the above

A suture's integrity can be compromised by various factors. Soaking in saline can introduce moisture that may affect certain materials, potentially leading to degradation or weakening over time, especially for sutures made from synthetic materials or those sensitive to hydration. Testing tensile strength, while important for quality assurance, can physically stress the suture to the point of failure or weaken it through repeated loading. This is particularly relevant for sutures that might be stretched beyond their elastic limit or those that are not designed to withstand repeated testing. Straightening a suture, especially if bent or curled upon itself, can introduce micro-fractures or alter its structural integrity. This can decrease the suture's capability to endure the forces exerted during wound closure and healing. Since all these actions can compromise the suture's strength and reliability, the comprehensive understanding of how each action impacts the suture leads to the conclusion that all these factors would contribute to the weakening of a suture.