Need help on Suture & Surgical Kit

[firefox]

in a month or so i plain on buying a Suture & Surgical Kit.the problem is i'm not sure whitch one to buy. i have narrowed my choices to these.keep in mind i can only spend 50 or 60 dollars.and yes i plan to take a training course so i wont be a danger to anybody.any and all help would be appreciated*THANKS*
http://www.nitro-pak.com/product_info.php?cPath=31_105&products_id=32&osCsid=af908db32622378f76615b5a5fd65aae
http://www.adventuremedicalkits.com/kit_detail.asp?series=&seriesNav=Dom&kit=507&kitNO=0130-0567
http://www.adventuremedicalkits.com/kit_detail.asp?series=&seriesNav=Dom&kit=508&kitNO=0130-0565
http://www.sportsmansguide.com/search/search.asp?r=Page%3A%2FDefault.asp+KW+Box&s=SEARCH&a=search&k=surgical

[madmyk]

I have the kit from sportsmans guide and it is all pretty good stuff. You can't beat it for the $$. It does need to have a few extra suture kits added. They are available (3 for $21) at nitro-pak, as well as other places...for about $40 you will have what you need.

[site59]

Have you checked E-bay???

[JonNox]

Really good price on ebay for suture by the dozen! I'm looking for suture kit this week, what is the best for field use, Nylon, silk, Polyester, PGA, Polypropylene? and in wich gauge?

[JonNox]

Lot of info on each type of suture!
http://dermnetnz.org/procedures/sutures.html

[RichieRiot]

The problem I find with most of the Surgical Kits is that they are not sterile. So if you can get your hands on one that is pre-sterilized and sealed that would be something better. But I have yet to find something like that.

[223Remington]

The problem I find with most of the Surgical Kits is that they are not sterile. So if you can get your hands on one that is pre-sterilized and sealed that would be something better. But I have yet to find something like that.

Here is a nice wound-closure kit that is right at $60 and all the instruments are sterile. :p

http://www.chinookmed.com/cgi-bin/category.cgi?item=01354&type=store

[keeber]

Befriend Ye'olde tattoo artist and they might just autoclave those surgical/suture kits for you, just bag em up in the thicker mylar bags, vacuum seal and there you go... Just be sure to label them accordingly.

[finris]

My biggest problem with these suture kits is there is no local antistatic Liddocain or benzocain or anything like that. I can tell you sutures with out it, not good.

[223Remington]

My biggest problem with these suture kits is there is no local antistatic Liddocain or benzocain or anything like that. I can tell you sutures with out it, not good.

you aren't gonna find injectable Lido because it is considered a controlled substance that requires a medical license to purchase. Also, unless you have specific training in local anesthesia you can cause more damage than the original wound. That being said, there ARE alternatives that might just work for you. Firstly, a good topical like LMX-5 or EMLA cream (not bactine or burn cream) can deaden skin up to 5mm depth if left on with an occlusive bandage (saran-wrap) for about 1hr prior to suturing. Also, don't forget about things like icepacks, they can work in a pinch, and are more effective than you might think. (hypothermic tissue will bleed more freely) If you have medical training you can use a solution of Diphenhydramine HCL with plain sterile saline, but this requires specific knowledge of the procedure and experience in compounding sterile drugs. This should only be attempted if you know what you are doing. If you are confidant in your skills the information is available on the internet, I will not give out that info here. Lastly, if you are on good terms with a veterinarian they can prescribe lidocaine 1% or 2% for you. It is primarily used for large animals that are having a difficult labor. Personally I prefer steri-strips, becuase most of the time you would just be closing a wound full of germs, bacteria and/or necrotic tissue. My two cents... :soldier:

[Bingo]

One can buy suture's and scapels at a big gun show. Usually the suture's run about $1.50 a package. Scaples holders are either number 3 or 4. #3 takes the blades numbered in the teens- ie 13,14 15 etc. While the #4 holder uses the blades in the 20's. Also buy some small hemostats and small needle holders. These usually sell for $2-$3 each at the shows also.