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Sewing a wound closed - series

Sewing a wound closed, part 1

Grip a suture needle securely using a needle driver instrument.

Sewing a wound closed, part 2

Push the needle through the skin and into the base of the wound. Then pull the suture through the first side of the wound.

Sewing a wound closed, part 3

Push the needle through the base of the opposite side of the wound and bring it out as before. Tie the suture to close the wound.

Sewing a wound closed, part 4

When the suture is properly in place, it should form a U-shape.

Sewing a wound closed, part 5

To tie a suture, first loop it around the needle driver twice. Next, grab the short end of the suture with the needle driver.

Sewing a wound closed, part 6

Start by creating the first knot of a loop. Next, make a second single loop in the opposite direction. This completes the square knot.

Review Date: 11/2/2023  

Reviewed By: Jesse Borke, MD, CPE, FAAEM, FACEP, Attending Physician at Kaiser Permanente, Orange County, CA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.

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