Special Issue | Morphological contributes about human body structure, function and pathophysiology
Vol. 98 No. s3 (2025): Morphological contributes about human body structure, function and pathophysiology
https://doi.org/10.4081/jbr.2025.13164

Scanning electron microscope morphological analysis of suture needle deformations after use in dentistry

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Received: 29 September 2024
Accepted: 18 February 2025
Published: 28 May 2025
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Suture needles, deformation, SEM, stitches

Authors

Enzo Cumbo
Department of Precision Medicine in Medical, Surgical and Critical Care (Me.Pre.C.C.), University of Palermo, Italy.
Pietro Messina
Department of Precision Medicine in Medical, Surgical and Critical Care (Me.Pre.C.C.), University of Palermo, Italy.
Giuseppe Gallina
Department of Precision Medicine in Medical, Surgical and Critical Care (Me.Pre.C.C.), University of Palermo, Italy.
Giuseppe Alessandro Scardina
alessandro.scardina@unipa.it
https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7305-530X
Department of Precision Medicine in Medical, Surgical and Critical Care (Me.Pre.C.C.), University of Palermo, Italy.

Sutures are widely used in dental procedures, from simple extractions to complex surgeries like dental implant placements. The number of stitches applied varies with the size of the surgical wound, influenced by the thread length attached to the needle. Although needle tips are designed for optimal mechanical performance, their sharpening can lead to increased delicacy and susceptibility to deformation due to repeated contact with soft tissues. This study aims to perform a morphological analysis, using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), to examine how the tips of suturing needles, differing in brand and morphology, are affected after multiple passes through soft tissues. We analyzed suture needles of two distinct morphologies from various manufacturers after use for 1 to 8 stitches on 192 patients. Deformations at the needle tips, measured along the axis and as protrusions from their profile, were proportional to the number of tissue penetrations, independent of the manufacturer. Tapered needles exhibited greater resistance to deformation. Our findings suggest that the tested suturing needles are effective for a limited number of tissue penetrations, indicating the need to restrict their use based on the number of stitches performed.

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Scanning electron microscope morphological analysis of suture needle deformations after use in dentistry. (2025). Journal of Biological Research - Bollettino Della Società Italiana Di Biologia Sperimentale, 98(s3). https://doi.org/10.4081/jbr.2025.13164
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