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Suture sizes and suggested indications for their use

When to use different sizes of suture

USP SIZE SIZE IN MM SUGGESTED INDICATION
11-0 & 10-0 0.01 & 0.02 Ophthalmology, microsurgical repair
9-0 & 8-0 0.03 & 0.04 Ophthalmology, microsurgical repair
7-0 & 6-0 0.05 & 0.07 Small vessel repair/grafting, fine suturing on the hand/nailbed & face
5-0 & 4-0 0.1 & 0.15 Larger vessel repair, skin closure (hands/limbs, face) tendon repair
3-0 & 2-0 0.2 & 0.3 Closure of thick skin, fascia, muscle, tendon repair
0 & 1 0.35 & 0.4 Closure of fascia, drain stitches
2 and above >0.5 Large tendon repairs, thick fascial closures, drain sutures (usually orthopaedic surgery)

 

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