Understanding The Different Types of Suture Needles

The success of your hospital or clinic's surgical practice depends largely on two factors - the skill of the surgeons and the availability of the right surgical equipment. The availability and use of the skills lab and the experience of the surgeon is invaluable but a great deal also depends on the use of the right equipment for the surgery performed at your centre. These can also determine the rate of healing and the prevention of post-op complications.

Surgical instruments include those which are used for dissection, grasping, exposing, and suturing. Staples maybe preferred in certain cases but suturing is at the very core of surgical practice. The availability of the right needles is indispensable in an operative procedure. Suture needles must essentially be:


- Sharp and able to effortlessly penetrate tissue

- Rigid enough to help carry the sutures and yet remain flexible

- Be made from corrosion resistant material (such as high-quality stainless steel) to offer sterility.

Let us take a look at the types of needles used to throw different types of sutures in surgery. You may want to come up with a robust system to account for and restock these periodically.


1. Curved Needle: Curved needles are undoubtedly the most commonly used suture needles. They allow for suturing at sites that allow for less space for maneuvering such as muscle, peritoneum, cardiovascular sites, eyes, nerves and tendons, urogenital tract etc. The curvature depends on the site that requires surgical intervention. The 1/4 circle curved needle, for example, is preferred in eye microsurgery.

2. Straight Needle: The straight needle is preferred to suture sites where the tissue is easily accessible. In most cases calling for the use of straight needles, finger-held manipulation is possible.

3. Half Curved Needle: Half curved needles are preferred in laparoscopic surgical procedures. These combine the advantages of both straight and curved needles and are also used for skin closure.

4. Compound Curved Needle: Compound curved needles are most frequently used in anterior segment ophthalmic surgery. The greatest advantage it offers is that it allows for equal and precise suturing and equalized pressure on both sides of the corneal scleral junction.

5. Cutting Needle: Cutting needles offer easy penetration and have a very sharp edge. These can be of many types and the choice of needle depends on the surgical site. The reverse cutting needle, for example, is used to suture the fascia, ligaments, and tendons while the tapered needles are used to suture the uterus, ligaments, and scar tissues.

Suture Needles may also be categorized based on the type of eye (Closed Eye, French Eye or Eyeless), curvature (quarter circle, half circle, three eighth circle, five eighth circle etc.), needle length (6mm, 8mm, 12mm etc.), or needle body (round bodied, curved cutting, taper cut, micro-point spatula curved).

While ordering needles to go with Ticron Sutures or any other popular branded sutures, it is important to consult the surgical staff and order in bulk through the Smart Medical Buyer website. While opting for the right suture needles, it is also important to look for the right sutures that will complement them.