BACKGROUND Sutures can tear through tissue, but little data exist on the relative ability of different suture gauges and suture types to cut into the skin. OBJECTIVE To quantify the relative ability of various sutures to cut into and tear through the skin. METHODS AND MATERIALS We tested 4 suture types (polypropylene, nylon, polyglactin 910, and poliglecaprone 25) at 2 gauges each (3-0 and 5-0) in their ability to cut into and tear through an artificial skin substitute comprised of a 1-mm thick silicone sheet. The force required to cut into and through the skin substitute was measured using a digital force gauge that generated a force–time curve. The suture diameters were verified using both a precision caliper micrometer and an eyepiece micrometer with the microscope. Statistical analysis was performed using the Student t-test and analysis of variance. RESULTS All 5-0 suture types required less force to cut into and tear through the skin substitute than their 3-0 counterparts. Among each suture gauge, there was no significant difference in tear-through force regardless of the suture type. CONCLUSION Compared with larger gauge sutures, smaller gauge sutures more easily cut into and tear through skin substitute.
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