Pseudo-suturing is a practice where our aim is achieve the same result as traditional suturing but we are using alternative methods to do so.

Pseudo-suturing is typically done using hypodermic needles and sanitized or sterilized monofilament line or thread.

Technique

1. A hypodermic needle is punctured through the skin where you want the “suture” to run.
2. Then the clean monofilament line is fed into the bevel end of the hypodermic needle until it comes out of the hub.
3. While securely holding the line, the hypodermic needle can be removed by pulling it back out, leaving just the monofilament line under the skin where the needle was.
4. You can now execute your instrument tie and trim and excess, or place additional needles and run the line through additional channels.

Why Bother?

Valid question! There are several reasons why one might opt for pseudo-suturing over traditional suturing.

• Convenience; especially for either quick low risk applications (like attaching objects like bells or weights to people) or when speed is important (like an emergency medical triage situation).
• In situations where traditional suturing equipment is not available or accessible.
• Pseudo-suturing may also be a viable option for someone with a specific phobia around medical procedures where the medical instruments used in traditional suturing would perhaps be triggering.