Place Sutures for Easy Removal and Less Infection

When sewing lacerations in children, think ahead to the removal stage. Place the sutures far enough from the wound edges (ie, take big enough "bites") that their eventual removal will be easy. Another advantage of "bigger bites" is that, because they cause less strangulation to the blood supply, they decrease the risk of infection.

--D. Brady Pregerson, MD
        Los Angeles

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