Catgut Health Dictionary

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Catgut: From 2 Different Sources

A traditional absorbable SUTURE used in surgery for tying cut arteries and stitching wounds. Consisting of twisted COLLAGEN (from sheep or cattle intestines), catgut is absorbed by phagocytes (see under PHAGOCYTE) over a variable period. There are two types: plain, and chromatised or chromic. Synthetic absorbable sutures cause less reaction, have a predictable absorption period and are more e?ective.
Health Source: Medical Dictionary
Author: Health Dictionary
n. a natural fibrous material prepared from the tissues of animals, usually from the walls of sheep intestines, twisted into strands of different thicknesses and formerly widely used to sew up wounds (see suture) and tie off blood vessels during surgery. The catgut gradually dissolves and is absorbed by the tissues, so that the stitches do not have to be removed later. Catgut has now been replaced by synthetic absorbable suture material, such as vicryl.
Health Source: Oxford | Concise Colour Medical Dictionary
Author: Jonathan Law, Elizabeth Martin

Suture

A word used in both an anatomical and a surgical sense. (1) Anatomically, suture is a type of immovable joint, found particularly in the SKULL, including the coronal suture (between the frontal and parietal bones); the lamboidal suture (between the parietal and occipital bones); and the sagittal suture (between the two parietal bones). (2) Surgically the word refers either to the technique of closing a wound, or to the material used. Stitching methods have been developed for gastrointestinal, neurological, dermatological and other forms of surgery, and include laser surgery and removable clips or staples. The material used is generally divided into mono?lament, twisted or braided. Absorbable sutures – used for internal stitching

– include catgut, Vicryl® and Dexon®. Nonabsorbable sutures include silk, nylon and prolene. The type used and time of suture-removal depend upon the site and general state of the patient. Those patients on steroids who have a malignant or infective disorder heal slowly, and their sutures may need to stay in for 14 days or more instead of the usual 5–8 days.... suture

Ligation

Tying-o? – for example, of a blood vessel – by completely encircling it with a tight band, usually of catgut or some other suture material.... ligation

Ligature

A cord or thread used to tie around arteries in order to stop the circulation through them, or to prevent escape of blood from their cut ends. Ligatures are generally made of catgut or silk, and are tied with a reef-knot.... ligature

Suturing

The closing of a surgical incision or a wound by sutures (stitches) to promote healing.

This may be done by means of a single stitch under the skin (subcuticular) or by using individual stitches (interrupted).

Some materials used in suturing, such as catgut, eventually dissolve in the body; skin sutures made of other materials are removed about 1–2 weeks after insertion.... suturing

Gut

n. 1. see intestine. 2. see catgut.... gut

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