Properties

• continuous
• appositional
• less effect on blood supply than the horizontal mattress but more than the simple interrupted

• the bite on each side of the incision is roughly equal to the thickness of the tissue (eg. 3-5 mm)
• sutures are spaced approximately twice this distance apart (ie 6-10 mm)
• these guidelines are adjusted depending on the tendency of the tissue to open (take wider bites if edges tend to open or if the incision will be subjected to significant tension)

Properties

• continuous
• appositional
• effect on blood supply is similar to the simple continuous

General recommendations

• the bite on each side of the incision is roughly equal to the thickness of the tissue (ie 3-6 mm)
• sutures are spaced approximately twice this distance apart (ie 6-10 mm)
• these guidelines are adjusted depending on the tendency of the tissue to open (take wider bites if edges tend to open)
• suture tension is adjusted with each bite as it difficult to readjust when finished

Technique of ending the Ford interlocking pattern

Option A

• reverse the last bit creating a loop on one side of incision
• tie loop free end

Option B

• when end of incision reached
• place bite thru intact skin
• tie loop to free end
• advantages
  • preserve final lock
  • knot off incision

Properties

• Continuous
• Inverting
• more effect on the local blood supply than a simple continuous

General recommendations

• Bites run perpendicular (Transverse -LemberT)
• penetrate the serosa, mucularis and submucosa but not the mucosa of the hollow organ
• the farther the bites are placed from the incision’s edge, the more tissue inverted.
• tension is adjusted with each bite as it is difficult to readjust once the pattern is completed

Properties

• Continuous
• Inverting
• more effect on the local blood supply than a simple continuous

Properties

• Continuous
• Appositional
• minimal impact on the local blood supply of skin

General recommendations

• bites are placed within the dermis as close to the skin’s surface as possible
• successive bites should backtrack at least halfway for the best apposition
• tension is adjusted after each bite as it is difficult to readjust once pattern is completed.
• knots are buried beneath the skin’s surface at the beginning and end of the incision
• Tissue forceps need excess pressure to adequately stabilize the skin while placing the bites that can result in significant postoperative bruising. Using the thumb and first finger to stabilize the skin during needle placement is helpful. The tissue forceps are then palmed so they are readily available for needle extraction from the tissues.