Suture Kit: What's Included, Types of Suture Material, and How to Choose
Technical guide for medical and nursing students and clinical professionals · Colombia 2026
Suturing kit: what it is, what it includes, suture types, and how to choose the right one
From the basic practice kit to the complete clinical set — everything you need to know about instruments, suture types, gauges, suturing techniques, and how to assemble or acquire the right kit for your level and use
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GSMED Imaging technical-clinical team
Content prepared based on standard surgical literature, USP (United States Pharmacopeia) classification standards for suture materials, Ethicon (Johnson & Johnson) and BBraun technical catalogs, and the products available in Colombia through distributors such as Instrumentalia, Fiebre Médica, and Coimpormedica.
The suturing kit is one of the first sets of instruments that medical or nursing students learn to use — and one of the ones with the most variations on the Colombian market. From practice kits with a silicone pad to sterilizable clinical sets for emergencies and minor surgery, knowing what each one includes, what type of thread to use in each tissue, and how gauges are classified is practical knowledge used from the first day of rotation.
1. What is a suturing kit?
A suturing kit is a set of instruments and materials needed to close a wound using suturing techniques. It groups in a single case or tray the elements that the professional or student needs to perform the procedure: surgical instruments (needle holder, forceps, scissors, scalpel) and suture material (threads with mounted needles of different types and gauges).
There is a fundamental difference that the Colombian market frequently mixes up and that is worth clarifying from the beginning:
📚 Practice / training kit
Typically includes:
- Silicone pad (simulates skin, fat, and muscle) with preformed wounds
- Stainless steel Hegar needle holder
- Adson dissection forceps
- Suture scissors (Iris or Mayo)
- Scalpel handle + blades (n°10 and n°11)
- 16–24 varied suture threads (nylon, silk, polypropylene)
- Carrying case
⚠️ Educational use only — not sterile for real patients
🏥 Clinical / surgical kit
Typically includes:
- Autoclave-sterilizable Hegar needle holder
- Adson dissection forceps with or without teeth
- Mayo or Metzenbaum scissors
- Scalpel handle n°3 and/or n°4
- Hemostatic forceps (curved/straight mosquito)
- Retractors (optional depending on the procedure)
- Sterile suture threads in individual packages
- Sterile field, gauze, gloves (consumable supplies)
✓ Reusable material + sterile consumables per procedure
The most frequent error when buying in Colombia Training kits (silicone pad included) are widely sold in Colombia in stores such as Fiebre Médica, Instrumentalia, and e-commerce platforms. Their instruments are not manufactured with the same surgical stainless steel standards nor are they safely sterilizable in an autoclave. They are excellent for learning the technique, but should never be used in a real procedure on a patient.
2. The instruments in the suturing kit: what each one does
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Needle holder (Hegar)
The main instrument of suturing. It has crossed jaws with a striated surface or with a tungsten carbide insert that firmly holds the curved needle without damaging it. Standard Hegar models measure 12.5–18 cm. The needle must be held in the posterior third of its length, at a 90° angle to the axis of the needle holder.
→ Most used size in minor surgery: 14–16 cm
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Adson dissection forceps
Fine-grip forceps (12.5–15 cm) to handle tissues during suturing without tearing them. There are two fundamental variants: Adson without teeth (for delicate tissues — vessels, mucous membranes) and Adson with teeth (for skin — the tooth provides grip without the need for excessive pressure). They are not used to hold the needle.
→ With teeth for skin · Without teeth for mucous membranes and subcutaneous tissue
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Suture scissors
To cut the thread after tying. Iris scissors (11 cm, fine, straight or curved) are ideal for precise cuts in the surgical area. Mayo scissors (14–17 cm, more robust) are used to cut tissues and more resistant materials. Suture scissors should never be used to cut gauze or drapes — they dull the blades.
→ Iris for fine sutures · Mayo for dissection and thick tissues
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Scalpel handle + blades
Handle n°3 accepts blades 10, 11, 12, and 15. Handle n°4 accepts blades 20, 21, and 22 (larger, for major surgery). Blade n°10 is the most versatile for skin incisions. Blade n°11 (fine tip) is used for drains and punctures. Blades are single-use disposable — they are never reused between patients.
→ Handle n°3 + blade n°10: the standard in emergencies and minor surgery
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Hemostatic forceps (mosquito)
Mosquito forceps (Kelly, Halsted) are small hemostatic forceps for controlling bleeding points. They work as a temporary clamp — they are closed over the bleeding vessel, allowing the surgeon to tie it later. They exist in straight and curved versions. They are part of the clinical kit but not always the basic practice kit.
→ Curved for deep spaces · Straight for superficial
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Grooved probe and indicator
The grooved probe guides the direction of the incision and separates planes without injuring vessels and nerves. The indicator (blunt-tip stylet) allows exploring the depth and direction of wounds. They are instruments of the dissection and exploration kit — they are included in complete minor surgery sets but not always in basic suturing kits.
→ Part of complete dissection kits · Useful in emergency surgery
3. Types of suture thread: absorbable vs non-absorbable
Suture thread is the most important consumable in the kit. Choosing the right type determines if the wound heals correctly, if the patient needs the stitches removed, or if the thread can be left permanently in the deep tissues.
🟢 Absorbable sutures
They are degraded by the organism — enzymatically (natural) or by hydrolysis (synthetic) — in a period ranging from 10 days to 6 months depending on the material. They do not require removal. They are used in deep tissues where access is not possible to remove the stitches, or where temporary tensile strength is sufficient.
Main materials:
- Plain catgut — natural (bovine collagen) · Absorption: 10–20 days · Mucous membranes, vascular ligatures
- Chromic catgut — natural treated with chromium salts · Absorption: 20–40 days · Subcutaneous tissue, fascia
- Polyglycolic acid (Dexon®) — synthetic multifilament · Absorption: 60–90 days · Fascia, muscle
- Polyglycolic 910 (Vicryl®) — synthetic multifilament · Absorption: 60–90 days · The most used worldwide
- Polydioxanone PDS II® — synthetic monofilament · Absorption: 180 days · Abdominal wall closure
- Polyglyconate (Maxon®) — synthetic monofilament · Absorption: 180 days · Slow-healing tissues
🔵 Non-absorbable sutures
They remain indefinitely in the organism or must be removed. They are used in skin (removal at 7–14 days), in tissues that require permanent support (tendons, vessels, nerves), or in surgeries where the suture remains as an intentional foreign body (cardiology, vascular).
Main materials:
- Silk (Silk®, Silkam®) — natural multifilament · Excellent knot handling · Skin, ligatures
- Nylon (Ethilon®, Dafilon®) — synthetic monofilament · Minimal tissue reaction · Skin, tendons, cornea
- Polypropylene (Prolene®, Surgipro®) — synthetic monofilament · Inert · Vascular, hernia, skin
- Polyester (Mersilene®, Ethibond®) — synthetic multifilament · High resistance · Cardiac, orthopedic
- Stainless steel — metallic monofilament · Maximum resistance · Sternum, orthopedics, retention
- Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) — synthetic · Biologically inert · Vascular surgery, hernia
4. Suture gauge: the USP scale you should know
Suture gauge (thickness) is expressed in the USP (United States Pharmacopeia) scale, which is the universal standard. The higher the number of zeros, the thinner the thread. The scale can be counterintuitive:
2
Sternum, abdominal wall retention, major orthopedics
0
Abdominal fascia, muscle, high-tension closures
2/0
Subcutaneous, vascular ligatures, thick skin (scalp)
3/0
Trunk and limb skin — the most used in emergencies
4/0
Face skin, hands, low-tension areas, delicate subcutaneous
5/0
Facial plastic surgery, fine cosmetic sutures, small vessels
6/0
Microsurgery, cornea, pediatric, fine vessels
9/0–11/0
Vascular and nerve microsurgery — use with microscope
The quick rule for general emergencies For the vast majority of wounds in emergencies: 3/0 on trunk and limbs, 4/0 on face. If using absorbable for subcutaneous: 2/0 or 3/0 Vicryl. If using non-absorbable for skin: 3/0 or 4/0 nylon or polypropylene. The finest gauge that achieves proper closure always creates less scar marking.
5. Types of suture needles
Each suture thread comes mounted on a surgical needle that determines how it penetrates the tissues. The choice of the needle is as important as the thread:
| Needle type | Cross-section | Indicated tissue | Common brands |
|---|---|---|---|
| Round-tip needle (cylindrical) | Circular — does not cut tissue | Intestine, fascia, muscle, viscera. Separates fibers without cutting them | For deep soft tissues |
| Conventional cutting needle | Triangular — two cutting edges | Thick skin, tendons, ligaments. The cutting edge goes inward | The most used in skin |
| Reverse cutting needle (reverse) | Triangular — cutting edge outward | Hard skin, scalp, scar tissue. Reduces risk of cutting the tissue when pulling the thread | Modern standard for skin |
| Lancet needle (lanceolate) | Spear shape — ultra-fine cut | Cornea, sclera, microsutures. Minimum tissue penetration | Ophthalmology and microsurgery |
| Roma needle (broken tip) | Blunt tip — does not puncture | Peritoneum, liver, very friable tissues where you do not want to puncture | Specific use in viscera |
6. Suturing techniques: the ones every doctor must know
Simple interrupted suture Basic
An individual stitch with an independent knot. Each stitch is tied and cut separately. If one stitch fails, the others maintain the closure. The reference technique for learning — it is used on skin in practically all regions of the body.
→ Emergency wounds, lacerations, skin closure in general
Simple continuous suture Basic
A continuous thread that passes through all the points without cutting between them, with a knot at the beginning and another at the end. Faster than the interrupted. If it breaks at any point, it can compromise the entire closure. Very used in fascia and subcutaneous closure.
→ Fascia, subcutaneous, internal layers in abdominal surgery
Horizontal mattress suture Intermediate
The suture makes two parallel horizontal passes before knotting. It distributes tension over a larger surface area—ideal for high-tension wounds. It can cause tissue ischemia if tightened excessively. It is used on the scalp and for wounds with widely separated edges.
→ Scalp, high-tension wounds, tendons
Vertical mattress suture (Donati) Intermediate
Two vertical passes at different depths. The superficial pass everts the skin edges, improving coaptation and the aesthetic result. It produces greater eversion than a simple suture—excellent cosmetic result but slower.
→ Face, neck, well-vascularized areas where the aesthetic result is important
Subcuticular (intradermal) suture Intermediate
The suture runs inside the dermis without coming to the surface of the skin. It leaves no stitch marks (needle tracks). The cosmetic result is the best of all techniques. It is used with absorbable suture (no removal required) or non-absorbable suture, with the ends pulled through the vertices.
→ Plastic surgery, face, areas where the cosmetic result is a priority
Tobacco pouch suture Advanced
A continuous circular suture that, when tightened, closes a central opening. Classically used to invaginate the appendicular stump, close ostomies, and seal visceral orifices. Its name comes from the analogy of closing a tobacco pouch by pulling the drawstring.
→ Appendicular stump closure, ostomies, visceral perforations
7. How to assemble or choose the right kit according to its use
| User profile | Recommended kit | Essential sutures | Approx. investment in Colombia |
|---|---|---|---|
| Medical student (practice) | Training kit with silicone pad, needle holder, Adson forceps, Iris scissors, scalpel handle + blades | Nylon 3/0 and 4/0 · Silk 3/0 | $80,000–$250,000 COP |
| Rural doctor / primary care | Basic sterilizable clinical set: needle holder, Adson with/without teeth, Mayo scissors, scalpel handle, mosquito forceps × 2 | Nylon 3/0 and 4/0 · Vicryl 2/0 subcutaneous | $300,000–$600,000 COP for instruments |
| Emergency department (institutional) | Pre-assembled suture trays, autoclaved, in individual sterile packaging | Complete stock of 2/0 to 5/0 absorbable and non-absorbable sutures | Variable—bulk purchase |
| Outpatient minor surgery | Complete set: needle holder, 2× Adson, Mayo + Metzenbaum scissors, scalpel handle n°3 + n°4, mosquito forceps ×4, retractors | Vicryl 3/0 subcutaneous · Prolene/nylon 4/0 skin · Silk 0 ties | $500,000–$1,200,000 COP for instruments |
| Clinical nursing | Basic suture removal kit: Adson forceps, Iris scissors, gauze, antiseptic solution | Not applicable—removal, not placement | $50,000–$150,000 COP |
8. Frequently asked questions about the suture kit
When are absorbable sutures used and when are non-absorbable sutures used?
The general rule: absorbable for deep tissues (subcutaneous, muscle, fascia, viscera) where they cannot be accessed to remove the stitches. Non-absorbable for skin, where the stitch is removed in 7–14 days (depending on the region) once the wound has healed sufficiently. Exceptions: absorbable sutures are frequently used in oral mucosa, such as chromic catgut or fast Vicryl, which dissolve without the need for removal—more convenient for the patient. Absorbable subcuticular sutures are also used in some facial plastic surgeries to prevent scarring.
How many days after surgery are sutures removed?
The removal time depends on the body region and local vascularization: face 5–7 days (high vascularization, heals quickly, aiming for minimal scarring); neck 5–7 days; trunk and abdomen 7–10 days; limbs 10–14 days; scalp 7–10 days; soles and palms 14 days (low vascularization). These times are guidelines—for high-tension wounds, wounds with poor vascularization, or patients with diabetes or immunosuppression, the removal time may be extended at the doctor's discretion.
What is the difference between nylon and polypropylene for skin?
Both are non-absorbable synthetic monofilament sutures with minimal tissue reaction. The practical differences are subtle: nylon (Ethilon®, Dafilon®) is slightly more elastic—it accommodates postoperative edema better without cutting the tissue. Polypropylene (Prolene®) is more inert, easier to remove, and has a slightly better cosmetic result in plastic surgery. For general emergencies, the difference is clinically irrelevant, and the choice depends on availability and cost. Polypropylene is also the suture of choice in vascular surgery due to its complete biological inertness.
Can the instruments in the practice kit be sterilized in an autoclave?
Most affordable practice kits (Amazon, student stores) are made of 420-grade or lower stainless steel, which can be sterilized, but the locking mechanisms (cric), guides, and instrument joints are not always manufactured to the tolerance standards required to withstand repeated autoclave cycles without deforming. Some high-quality kits are indeed sterilizable, but they should never be used on patients without first verifying the manufacturer's certification for clinical use. Surgical instruments certified for human use bear a CE mark or equivalent and specify a medical grade.
How much does a complete suture kit cost in Colombia in 2026?
It varies greatly depending on the purpose. A basic practice kit for students (with a silicone pad) costs between $80,000 and $200,000 COP at Fiebre Médica, Instrumentalia, or World Medic's. A clinical emergency kit with medical-grade sterilizable instruments costs between $350,000 and $700,000 COP without consumables. Clinical sutures (Vicryl, Prolene, Ethilon by Ethicon, or BBraun equivalents) cost between $8,000 and $25,000 COP per individual package depending on the material and gauge. In institutions, they are purchased in boxes of 12 or 24 units with volume discounts.
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