Thread pathways in various sutures

There are many approaches to suturing skin edges.

Each method has its proponents, although there is little evidence that one method is more effective than another.

We suggest you learn a few ways but more importantly, keep in mind these basic underlying principles:

• keeping the skin edges aligned
  
• use just enough tension to appose the edges
  
• use as few sutures as possible

As a starting point, we suggest that you first learn about the 'Simple interrupted suture' as the commonest application.