Suture kits on amazon

[welderguy]

While searching around amazon.com I see they have sutures for sale , how ever they are out dated and are for teaching or vet use only.
Now my question is what goes out of date on a suture pack , is it the sterility, or is it the suture material deteriorates after the date or would they still be good to use in an absolute SHTF emergency. Any one know the answer ?

Quick update they also have single use skin staplers for sale !!!!

[Rick]

You don't want a skin stapler. My wife (an RN) has made that very clear to me. Very, very clear. Did I mention she made it clear to me?

[trax]

actually any stapler will work on skin if you can get the victim to hold still for just a few seconds.

[crashdive123]

You don't want a skin stapler. My wife (an RN) has made that very clear to me. Very, very clear. Did I mention she made it clear to me?

Has she said why not?

[welderguy]

You don't want a skin stapler. My wife (an RN) has made that very clear to me. Very, very clear. Did I mention she made it clear to me?

And why dont you want skin staples?

[Rick]

Exactly my question to her. She looked at me and said, "Do you know how to use a skin stapler?" I said, "No." She just turned and walked away. I've brought it up a couple of times since then and she just says, "We've had this conversation. You do not want one. You don't need it."

I've been married long enough to know that if my wife tells me I don't want something, by danged I don't want it!

[crashdive123]

So Rick........where are you keeping the skin stapler so she won't find it?

[Rick]

I have no skin staplers. I don't know how to use them. I don't need them so I don't own any..... is she asleep in there (peering around corner)

[welderguy]

well I figure I dont know how to use one either but Im sure I can figure it out...LOL

[welderguy]

Actualy Im thinking , puting them in would be easy REMOVING them may take some skill and training.

[canid]

i would have to assume it's the sterility guarantee of the packaging which expires. packaging materials, particularly soft ones such as paper and plastic based ones aren't impervious to the passage of time, exposure to light, oxygen, etc.

[your_comforting_company]

Many of the same medical supplies used on animals are the same thing used on people. I've been trying for about 3 years to find a source for sutures around here. I always get the same story.. you need to be a doctor to get them. I have on occasion asked the doctor if I might have one or two, and sometimes they give the the same story, and sometimes they smile and give me a pack or two. Stitching skin is not much different from sewing, and if you've watched a doctor sew you up once or twice, you get the gist.

I would think that even if they are "expired" but still safe for use on animals, then they would still be safe for animals. Can you ask your wife about this Rick (or anyone else)? I've had to sew myself up on more than one occasion. I work with sharp utility knives and metal trim-stuffs a lot.

[welderguy]

Wasnt there a Dr. that posted on here a couple times, anyone remember his forum name I would shoot him a PM if I could remember.

[Rick]

You can buy sutures all day long. Google sutures, you'll get tons of hits. I have suture kits in my medical kits as a last ditch device.

You really don't need staple kits. Staples are used because it is much quicker than suturing and more consistent. However, they come in different widths and depths and you need the knowledge of what type of staple is needed for what type of wound. It's also a mechanical device that can fail you when you need it although that's a minor concern in my book.

As for sutures, if you have a large open wound then suturing needs to be done internally and externally. Just suturing a large wound externally provides little support and the skin can tear around the sutures and the wound open up again.

If the wound is small enough for just external stitches then a compression bandage should be the first method of choice and get to a doctor.

As for expired sutures, depending on the material they are made of, the suture can rot. In addition, there could be sterility issues although that wouldn't be my first concern.

Overall, wounds should be treated with appropriate first aid. That means bandaging and getting to an EXPERT that knows how to deal with that specific injury. Lay people using devices such as staples or sutures can wind up doing more harm to themselves in the long run. Harm that can include nerve damage and vascular injuries.

This thread probably speaks to the need for folks to take a good first aid course and additional classes if possible.

[Rick]

We have had a couple of doctors, several EMTS, a few nurses and some medics on the forum from time to time. I've been in contact with Adventuredoc in the past couple of weeks and he's planning on returning to the forum. He's been out of the country recently.

[welderguy]

Rick, thanks for the info on the staplers, and as for sutures I have a few sets I got from the vets office, But my original question was what is the expireation date for on suture packs, what expires.

[welderguy]

We have had a couple of doctors, several EMTS, a few nurses and some medics on the forum from time to time. I've been in contact with Adventuredoc in the past couple of weeks and he's planning on returning to the forum. He's been out of the country recently.

That was it Adventuredoc , Thanks Rick. I was wondering what happend to him.

[Old GI]

You don't want a skin stapler. My wife (an RN) has made that very clear to me. Very, very clear. Did I mention she made it clear to me?

Had an identical conversation with my ex several years ago.

[BLEUXDOG]

I have a couple of staplers I keep on hand. I have used them on my horses in the past. I find that they are easier than sutures if you can't sedate the animal. I get them from a medical supplier in New Orleans.
They have also sold me saline IVs and the spike kits. When they ask me what they are for I tell them for the horses. I use the saline as wound wash and eye wash.

[Rick]

I guess I should point out for any new members that I am not a doctor nor do I have any medical training other than first aid courses.