Which statement about continuous sutures is true?

Which statement about continuous sutures is true?

• A. Interrupted sutures require no knots
• B. Continuous needs constant tension (done with assistant's help and/or intermittently locking the throws)
• C. Continuous sutures are always weaker
• D. Interrupted sutures do not require knots

Answer: (B)

Continuous suturing uses a single strand of suture that runs along the length of the wound, with knots or locking throws at the ends to secure the line. To keep tissue edges in close apposition, maintaining steady tension along the entire suture, often with the help of an assistant, is essential; locking throws at intervals help prevent slack and slippage. If tension is not maintained, the suture can loosen and gaps can form, compromising closure. This technique can be faster and distributes tension more evenly across the repair, though it requires careful control of tension and tissue handling. The other statements misstate how sutures are secured: interrupted sutures involve tying knots for each bite, and a continuous suture does not inherently eliminate the need for knots at the end or for locking mechanisms to prevent loosening.

Continuous suturing uses a single strand of suture that runs along the length of the wound, with knots or locking throws at the ends to secure the line. To keep tissue edges in close apposition, maintaining steady tension along the entire suture, often with the help of an assistant, is essential; locking throws at intervals help prevent slack and slippage. If tension is not maintained, the suture can loosen and gaps can form, compromising closure. This technique can be faster and distributes tension more evenly across the repair, though it requires careful control of tension and tissue handling. The other statements misstate how sutures are secured: interrupted sutures involve tying knots for each bite, and a continuous suture does not inherently eliminate the need for knots at the end or for locking mechanisms to prevent loosening.