What Is Sutures? Definition, Types, Uses & Healing Guide

What is sutures is a common question in medical and surgical care. Sutures are medical threads used by doctors and surgeons to close wounds, surgical incisions, or damaged tissues. They help hold the skin or internal tissues together, allowing proper healing and reducing the risk of infection.

Sutures are widely used in hospitals, clinics, and emergency settings after injuries or surgical procedures. Depending on the wound type and location, different sutures are selected. There are absorbable sutures, which dissolve naturally in the body over time, and non-absorbable sutures, which need to be removed once healing is complete. Common suture materials include nylon, silk, polypropylene, and polyglycolic acid.

Understanding what is sutures also involves knowing their purpose: they support tissue healing, minimize scarring, control bleeding, and restore normal function. Suturing techniques vary, such as interrupted sutures, continuous sutures, and mattress sutures, each chosen based on wound depth and tension.

In conclusion, sutures play a vital role in modern medicine by ensuring safe wound closure and optimal healing outcomes when used correctly by trained professionals.