How many different surgical knots are there?
The knot is the weakest part of a suture and is generally the site of failure (1–3). Of the many types of knots, the following 4 are commonly used in small animal practice: square knot, surgeon’s knot, granny knot (technical error), and the sliding half-hitch.
What knot do doctors use for stitches?
The instrument tie is the most commonly used method of securing sutures in cutaneous surgery. The square knot, or surgeon’s knot, is traditionally preferred. The knot should be tightened sufficiently to approximate the wound edges without constricting the tissue and impeding blood flow.

Is a surgeons knot the same as a square knot?
The surgeon’s knot differs from the square knot due to an extra pass through the loop of the first throw. This extra twist in the first throw provides more friction to maintain its position until the second throw is placed.
What is Aberdeen knot?
The Aberdeen knot is an alternative knot used when ending a continuous suture line, most often for subcutaneous and intradermal closure. When used in subcutaneous closure, this knot allows the surgeon to continue directly to an intradermal closure without cutting the subcutaneous suture line.
What are the different types of stitches used in surgery?
These types of sutures can all be used generally for soft tissue repair, including for both cardiovascular and neurological procedures.

- Nylon. A natural monofilament suture.
- Polypropylene (Prolene). A synthetic monofilament suture.
- Silk. A braided natural suture.
- Polyester (Ethibond). A braided synthetic suture.
How is a surgeon’s knot different from a reef knot?
The surgeon’s knot is a surgical knot and is a simple modification to the reef knot. It adds an extra twist when tying the first throw, forming a double overhand knot. The additional turn provides more friction and can reduce loosening while the second half of the knot is tied.
What is a granny knot surgery?
[NOTE: A “granny knot” results if the short end crosses above the long end for one loop and below it for the other.] The short end has been wrapped around the long end a second time by passing it under the long end and up through the loop to complete the second “throw”.
How many knots does Vicryl?
Absorbable
Absorbable | Mono vs. multi filament | # throws for secure knot (interrupted) |
---|---|---|
Chromic gut | Multi | 3-4 (knots may loosen when wet) |
Polyglycolic acid (coated Dexon) | Multi | 4 |
Polyglactin 910 (coated Vicryl) | Multi | 4 |
Poliglecaprone 25 (Monocryl) | Mono | 4 |
How many throws in a surgeons knot?
In general, 4 throws were required for surgeon’s and square knots, whereas 5 throws were required for sliding knots.
How many types of stitches are there?
So there you have 35 types of stitches you can use for handstitching or machine stitching.
Why is it called a reef knot?
The name “reef knot” dates from at least 1794 and originates from its common use to reef sails, that is to tie part of the sail down to decrease its effective surface area in strong winds. To release the knot a sailor could collapse it with a pull of one hand; the sail’s weight would make the collapsed knot come apart.
How many throws are in a surgeon knot?
Conclusions: Under laboratory conditions, the ideal knot has 5 throws to maximize tensile strength and rate of untying.
What is Maxon suture?
Maxon is a monofilament strand composed of polyglycolic acid and trimethylene carbonate. Polyglycolic acid suture, along with PDS suture, offers the greatest tensile strength of any type of resorbable suture. The suture retains 70% of its tensile strength at 14 days and 55% at 21 days.
What is the difference between a square knot and a surgeons knot?
Square knot: once round the needle holders for each throw (i.e. first, second and subsequent throw/s). Surgeon’s knot: twice round the needle holders on the first throw, once on the second (and subsequent throw/s). This is a square knot (also known as a reef knot).
What is Cushing suture pattern?
The continuous Cushing pattern is often used for closing incisions in hollow viscera such as the stomach, urinary bladder and uterus. It penetrates the submucosa but does not penetrate the organ’s lumen. It runs parallel to the incision line by taking tissue bites on either side of the incision.