Stitching a wound

golok

golok

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Oct 20, 2000
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I always wonder if a person needs to have a wound stitched and the scenario is somewhere out in the wild, how does one proceed with the small operation.

Let's suppose there is a needle and some thread, won't it be rather painful without anaesthetic?

Is there a special procedure whereby the injured party won't have to suffer too much and the "stitcher" won't have to squirm too much either?
 
I'm by no means an expert on this, but it was explained to me that it's best to leave it open, clean it as best as you can, stuff or cover it with guaze and bandage it until you can get to a more sterile environment to have it properly cleaned out and sutured. The wound should be cleaned daily and new dressing applied if possible. Otherwise, serious infection can get started, which could possibly turn a painful situation into a life threatening situation.
 
Longbow50 is right to a degree as a paramedic I have seen my share of knife cuts axe cuts and other injuries if your wound can be treated at a proper medical facility within 24 hrs leave it open just keep it covered with clean dry dressings until reaching help. Some wounds may require stitches to help hold it together but this should only be done as a have to situation and yes it will hurt like the dickens but if it would save a life or limb the pain is mute. I would suggest if you know anyone working ing a hospital nurse doctor medic they can get you suture steups that is a sterile setup and needle and thread is all ready to use try to get a disposable suture kit so you can have the proper needle and such
 
Golok,

Who's the person in the picture?, not you I hope?.

Best Scouting wishes from Holland and a speedy recovery ;),

Bagheera
 
golok :

Let's suppose there is a needle and some thread, won't it be rather painful without anaesthetic?
Click to expand...

Not as much as you might think. I had the tips of my fingers stiched without any deadening. It is about the same level of a bee sting.

There are big problems with stitching if you don't know what you are doing including closing a wound which hasn't been cleaned (that by the was was far more painful than the stitching).

You can also close fairly heavy wounds with tape-like strips that are available in any drug store. They are also water proof and will last several days.

-Cliff
 
Cliff is right, some drugstores carry 3M Steristrips or an equivalent product. Once I sliced my thumb open pretty bad and at the doctor's office they had me soak it in soapy water for about 15 minutes and cleaned off all the dried blood. I thought I needed stitches but they prepped the area with Mastisol (a sterile skin adhesive I think) and applied the Steristrips. They said I don't even have to change them daily just wait until they fall off after a few days. I carry Steristrips in my first aid kit, but I haven't found a source for Mastisol yet.
 
I sliced my thumb nicely last october at work... had the aluminum vent come loose and I had to fix it... it fell and found my thumb.

it was about 30minutes after the event that I finally got into emerg(not a well equiped firstaid kit at work, and mine was in my backpack at home)... about 45minutes after when I was seen and adrenaline was wearing off.

The doc opened the wound back up to see what kind of damage I had done, rinsed it out(just for his sake, since the amount of blood I let flow in the first couple minutes more than cleaned it), and tossed steri-strips on it, then wrapped the whole thing in a clear waterproof 3M sheet thing. I was given a note for work as I was maintanance and needed both hands...
 
most wounds are not closed after 6-8 hours. after this time period they are considered contaminated. this is a standard surgery answer. so if you can not get to an emergency room or clinic in that amount of time then you might as well just clean it off, bandage it and let it heal by itself. if you have steri-strips the go for it, in alaska some of the professional hunters i have talked to have used duct tape as a substitute. i tried this once and it worked well. would closed, and no infection. be sure to rinse the wound out with a lot of clean water before closing.

alex
 
I consistently see military surplus suture kits at our local gun show. So you may find them at a show or at Army/Navy surplus joints. Just check to insure the integrity of the packaging.

I don't have training for that level of first aid, so don't carry them in my kit. OTOH as a friend once said, "You may not know how to use the equipment you're carrying, but someone who finds you might." ;)
 
Your best bet is w/ steri-strips & either mastisol or benzoin as an adjunct to make the strips adhere better. Suturing is generally not advised if there is any question as to the cleanliness of the wound. If you can gently bring the edges together w/o too much tension, it should heal just fine, only w/ a more noticeable scar. Keep it clean & dry - keep the steri-strips on for about a week - the benzoin or mastisol will help.
 
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