10
Precautions
Care should be taken to avoid damage when handling. Avoid crushing or crimping the
suture material with surgical instruments, such as needle holders and forceps.
Infections, erythema, foreign body reactions, transient inflammatory reactions and in rare
instances wound dehiscence are typical or foreseeable risks associated with any suture
and hence are also potential complications associated with Silk suture.
Acceptable surgical practice must be followed with respect to drainage and closure of
infected wounds.
To avoid damaging needle points and swage areas, grasp the needle in an area one-third
(1/3) to one-half (1/2) of the distance from the swaged end to the point. Reshaping
needles may cause them to lose strength and be less resistant to bending and breaking.
Users should exercise caution when handling surgical needles to avoid inadvertent needle
sticks. Discard used needles in "sharps" containers.
As with any suture material, adequate knot security requires the accepted surgical
technique of flat, square ties, with additional throws as warranted by surgical
circumstance and the experience of the surgeon.
Adverse Reactions
Adverse effects associated with the use of this suture may include, wound dehiscence;
gradual loss of tensile strength over time; allergic response in patients that are known to
be sensitive to silk; calculi formation in urinary and biliary tracts when prolonged contact
with salt solutions such as urine and bile occurs; infected wounds; minimal acute
inflammatory tissue reaction; and pain, edema and erythema at the wound site.
Broken needles may result in extended or additional surgeries or residual foreign bodies.
Inadvertent needle sticks with contaminated surgical needles may result in the
transmission of bloodborne pathogens.
Sterility
Silk sutures are sterilized by gamma radiation. Do not resterilize. Do not use if the
package is opened or damaged. Discard opened unused sutures. Do not use after
expiration date.
How Supplied
Braided Silk suture is available sterile in USP sizes 8-0 through 5 (metric 0.4 through 7)
in both dyed (black) and undyed (white), coated with fully refined paraffin. Silk suture is
supplied sterile in pre-cut lengths, both needled and non-needled and affixed to various
needle types. Twisted Silk suture is available in USP size 9-0 (metric 0.3) dyed black.
Excerpt from: Angiotech
Surgical Specialties Corporation, Reading, PA 19606 USA
SHARPOINT™ is a trademark of Surgical Specialties Corporation
LOOK™ is a trademark of Surgical Specialties Corporation
© 2008 Angiotech Pharmaceuticals, Inc. © 2008 Surgical Specialties Corporation. All
Rights Reserved.
Proofed by: Date:
Dimensions checked: Copy checked:
RC041264
McGaw Park, IL
Richard Cisneroz
04-05-12
361-26801
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