ETHICON | NEEDLES

Question 1

How many basic types of needle point geometries are there?
(And what are they?)

Answer 1

Three.

Taper point, blunt point, cutting point

Question 2

TRUE OR FALSE

Taper point needles are ideal for use on skin

Answer 2

FALSE

Not indicated for skin and other very dense tissues that resist stretching (it may increase trauma to the surrounding tissue)

Question 3

TRUE OR FALSE

Blunt point needles reduce the risk of needle stick injuries

Answer 3

TRUE

Question 4

TRUE OR FALSE

Cutting needles are contraindicated for use in tissues or structures where leakage may occur (i.e. heavily calcified blood vessel)

Answer 4

TRUE

Question 5

What is a notable feature of the blunt point needle geometry?

Answer 5

It requires more force to penetrate the tissue but is less traumatic to blood vessels

Question 6

Which of the needle geometries require the least amount of force to penetrate tissue?

Answer 6

Cutting needles

(but once the tissue is cut, it cannot contract around the suture)

Question 7

What is the taper ratio for needles?

Answer 7

It is the ratio between the length of the tapered section and the maximum needle diameter

For example, if the tapered section is 12 mm and the maximum needle diameter is 1 mm, then the ratio is 12:1

Question 8

TRUE OR FALSE

Higher taper ratios mean the needle tip is blunted and round. Lower taper ratios mean the needle tip is thinner

Answer 8

FALSE

Higher taper ratios = better penetration but lower strength

Lower taper ratios = lower penetration, higher strength

Question 9

What does Chord length of the needle affect?

Answer 9

Chord length enables Bite Width.

How far away from the entry point the needle will exit the tissue

Question 10

What does Curvature of the needle affect?

Answer 10

Curvature enables Bite Depth.

How deep the needle can go before the curvature pushes it back up

Question 11

TRUE OR FALSE

The longer the chord length, the wider the bite

Answer 11

TRUE

Question 12

Which ideal needle trait helps to minimize overly large needle holes?

Answer 12

As THIN as possible without compromising strength

Thin refers to the needle’s wire diameter

Question 13

What is the swage of the needle?

Answer 13

The swage is where the suture connects to the needle

Question 14

What aspect of needle anatomy most affects the needle’s stability?

Answer 14

Body cross section geometry

(because the needle is held on the body)

Question 15

TRUE OR FALSE

Cutting needles can create holes too large for the suture to fill

Answer 15

TRUE

Question 16

What does BP stand for?

Answer 16

Blunt point

Question 17

What is another name for a straight needle?

Answer 17

Keith needle

Question 18

What is the mechanism of action for blunt point needles?

Answer 18

Dissect tissue

Question 19

What does “Ferguson” translate into when discussing needles?

Answer 19

Fine

Question 20

What does “Mayo” translate into when discussing needles?

Answer 20

Heavy gauge

Question 21

What does “Morrison” translate into when discussing needles?

Answer 21

Medium

Question 22

What is another term for a heavy gauge needle?

Answer 22

Mayo

Question 23

What is another term for a medium needle?

Answer 23

Morrison

Question 24

What is another term for a fine needle?

Answer 24

Ferguson

Question 25

What does FS stand for?

Answer 25

For skin

Question 26

What does PS stand for?

Answer 26

Plastics

Question 27

What does OS stand for?

Answer 27

Orthopedic surgery

Question 28

What does PC stand for?

Answer 28

Precision cosmetic

Question 29

What does BV stand for?

Answer 29

Blood vessel

Question 30

What does CS stand for?

Answer 30

Corneal scleral

Question 31

What does SH stand for?

Answer 31

Small half circle needle

Question 32

What does MH stand for?

Answer 32

Medium half circle needle

Question 33

What does LH stand for?

Answer 33

Large half circle needle

Question 34

What does TP stand for?

Answer 34

Trigger Point

Question 35

What does CT stand for?

Answer 35

Circle taper

Question 36

What does CV stand for?

Answer 36

Cardiovascular

Question 37

Which surgeries is the Precision Cosmetic-Conventional Cutting PC Prime Needle best used for?

Answer 37

Delicate plastic or cosmetic surgery (PC)

Question 38

Which tissue is the TAPERCUT Surgical Needle best designed for?

Answer 38

For tough tissue - like 2 needles in one

Question 39

For which types of surgery is the Reverse Cutting MICRO-POINT Surgical Needle best used?

Answer 39

Extremely sharp for ophthalmic surgery

Question 40

For which types of tissue is the ETHIGUARD Blunt Point Needle intended?

Answer 40

For blunt dissection and suturing friable tissue

Question 41

What is a straight needle most often used for?

Answer 41

Skin, tendon, vessels, nerve , ENT (nasal cavity, oral cavity, pharynx)

Question 42

What is a 1/4 circle needle most often used for?

Answer 42

Microsurgery, Eye

Question 43

What is 3/8 circle needle most often used for?

Answer 43

Fascia, Muscle, Tendon, Peritoneum (GI tract, biliary tract, urogenital tract), Dura, Eye, myocardium, Nerve, Periosteum, Pleura, Vessels, Skin

Question 44

What is 1/2 circle needle most often used for?

Answer 44

GI / biliary tract, Skin, Pelvis, ENT, sub cu fat, CV system, Eye, Fascia, Muscle, Nasal cavity, Oral cavity, Resp tract

Question 45

What is 5/8 circle needle most often used for?

Answer 45

CV, Pelvic, Urogenital (PRIMARY application), Anal (hemorrhoidectomy), Nasal cavity

Question 46

What is compound curved needle most often used for?

Answer 46

Eye (Anterior segment), laparoscopy

Question 47

What is the mechanism of action for taper point needles?

Answer 47

Piercing / penetrating tissue

Question 48

What is the mechanism of action for ETHIGUARD blunt point needles?

Answer 48

Piercing the tissue; dulled to prevent needle stick injuries

Question 49

What is the mechanism of action for Reverse Cutting point needles?

Answer 49

Cutting tissue

Question 50

What is the mechanism of action for Conventional Cutting point needles?

Answer 50

Cutting tissue

Question 51

What is the mechanism of action for Side Cutting point needles (spatula needles)?

Answer 51

Cutting tissue and making an elliptical incision

Question 52

What is an advantage of using Side Cutting point needles (spatula needles?)

Answer 52

Flat on both the top and the bottom, eliminating undesirable depth or surface seeking during use (i.e. during ophthalmic procedures to separate or split through scleral or corneal tissue)

Question 53

TRUE OR FALSE Wire Diameter always remains the same on the same needles.

Answer 53

FALSE Wire diameter is often times different on the same needle (and can decrease with suture size)

Question 54

What is ETHICON's name for pop off needles?

Answer 54

Controlled release needles

Question 55

What is most common use / function for the reverse cutting needle?

Answer 55

Skin closure (cutting edges are on the outside)

Question 56

What is the mechanism of action for blunt point needles?

Answer 56

Dissection (think liver surgery - less bleeding than taper needles)

Question 57

What is a common use / benefit of the 3/8 circle needle?

Answer 57

Used for subcuticular closures; the curvature places the needle at the correct depth

Question 58

TRUE OR FALSE The needle size is most responsible for needle performance?

Answer 58

FALSE Its the coating

Question 59

What are examples of tissue where medium gauge (Morrison) needles are used?

Answer 59

Vaginal wall, fascia, fat

Question 60

What are examples of tissue where fine gauge (Ferguson) needles are used?

Answer 60

Aorta, vascular

Question 61

What are examples of tissue where heavy gauge (Mayo) needles are used?

Answer 61

Transversalis fascia, vaginal cuff, uterus (OS needles are also known as Mayo even though they're cutting needles)