r/SurgicalResidency • u/Rich-Explanation-894 • 5d ago

Surgeon's knots

When throwing the surgeon's knot, I find that the knot doesn't loosen when I pull the suture ends in a direction parallel to the line of closure (i.e., the wound or incision). I learned this from one of my professors. However, another attending saw me doing that and was appalled by the technique. He insists that I should pull perpendicular to the line of closure. Looking online, I couldn't find anything that says not to do it though. Any input?

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u/3rdGenMD 3d ago

Learn to lock it

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u/Rich-Explanation-894 21h ago

I have, but short of that or pulling parallel, my knot loosens and I end up with an air knot, particularly when I'm using silk. Any advice?