CFA CFA Wound Closure & Dressing Techniques 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the first layer closed during abdominal wound closure?
- Skin
- Subcutaneous tissue
- Peritoneum (Correct answer)
- Fascia
Correct answer: Peritoneum
The peritoneum is the innermost layer and is closed first, followed by fascia, subcutaneous tissue, and then skin.
Question 2: Which suture material is most appropriate for peritoneal closure?
- Silk
- Polyglycolic acid (Vicryl) (Correct answer)
- Polypropylene (Prolene)
- Stainless steel
Correct answer: Polyglycolic acid (Vicryl)
Absorbable synthetic sutures such as polyglycolic acid (Vicryl) are preferred for peritoneal closure because the peritoneum heals quickly and does not require permanent suture.
Question 3: Which closure technique places sutures beneath the skin surface to minimize visible scarring?
- Interrupted sutures
- Running mattress sutures
- Subcuticular closure (Correct answer)
- Figure-of-eight sutures
Correct answer: Subcuticular closure
Subcuticular (intradermal) closure buries the suture line under the epidermis, producing minimal visible scarring.
Question 4: What stapling device is used specifically for skin closure?
- TA stapler
- GIA stapler
- Skin stapler (Correct answer)
- LDS stapler
Correct answer: Skin stapler
Skin staplers use stainless steel staples to quickly and uniformly approximate wound edges at the skin level.
Question 5: What is the primary purpose of retention (stay) sutures?
- Close the peritoneum
- Provide additional support for high-tension wounds (Correct answer)
- Mark the surgical site
- Approximate subcutaneous fat
Correct answer: Provide additional support for high-tension wounds
Retention sutures reinforce the primary closure and prevent dehiscence in high-risk patients such as those who are obese or malnourished.
Question 6: When should wound edge undermining be performed before closure?
- When tissue is infected
- When there is excessive tension on wound edges (Correct answer)
- For all wounds routinely
- When absorbable sutures are used
Correct answer: When there is excessive tension on wound edges
Undermining releases skin tension and allows wound edges to be approximated without undue stress, reducing the risk of dehiscence.
CFA CFA Wound Closure & Dressing Techniques 1
What is the first layer closed during abdominal wound closure?