Suture Coding: A Novel Educational Guide for Suture Patterns.
OBJECTIVE
This study aims to provide a helpful guide to perform tissue suturing successfully using suture coding-a method for identification of suture patterns and techniques by giving full information about the method of application of each pattern using numbers and symbols. Suture coding helps construct an infrastructure for surgical suture science. It facilitates the easy understanding and learning of suturing techniques and patterns as well as detects the relationship between the different patterns.


METHODS
Guide points are fixed on both edges of the wound to act as a guideline to help practice suture pattern techniques. The arrangement is fixed as 1-3-5-7 and a-c-e-g on one side (whether right or left) and as 2-4-6-8 and b-d-f-h on the other side. Needle placement must start from number 1 or letter "a" and continue to follow the code till the end of the stitching. Some rules are created to be adopted for the application of suture coding. A suture trainer containing guide points that simulate the coding process is used to facilitate the learning of the coding method.


RESULTS
(120) Is the code of simple interrupted suture pattern; (ab210) is the code of vertical mattress suture pattern, and (013465)²/3 is the code of Cushing suture pattern. (0A1) Is suggested as a surgical suture language that gives the name and type of the suture pattern used to facilitate its identification. All suture patterns known in the world should start with (0), (A), or (1). There is a relationship between 2 or more surgical patterns according to their codes.


CONCLUSIONS
It can be concluded that every suture pattern has its own code that helps in the identification of its type, structure, and method of application. Combination between numbers and symbols helps in the understanding of suture techniques easily without complication. There are specific relationships that can be identified between different suture patterns. Coding methods facilitate suture patterns learning process.


CONCLUSIONS
The use of suture coding can be a good approach to the construction of an infrastructure of surgical suture science and the facilitation of the understanding and learning of suture pattern techniques.
Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Alexandria University, Edfina, El-Behera, Egypt; 13 Haroon st, Hanovill, Agamy, Alexandria, Egypt. Electronic address: dr.mohamedgaber@outlook.com.
Mohamed
M
Gaber
Department of Surgery, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Alexandria University, Edfina, El-Behera, Egypt.
Ramadan
R
Abdel-Wahed
D004501:Education, Medical / Q000379:methods*; D013502:General Surgery / Q000193:education*; D006801:Humans; D013536:Suture Techniques / Q000193:education* / Q000592:standards*; D013537:Sutures
Medical Knowledge; Practice-Based Learning and Improvement; Systems-Based Practice; educational guide; novel code; suture coding; suture pattern; suture technique