The buried hybrid mattress suture: A novel technique

Sir,

Tissue approximation techniques have evolved from employing insect claws and linen glue strips.[[1]] Surgical aims for suturing are well known. Patient characteristics, suturing materials and techniques, added to consideration of duration, anatomical zones, function, and aesthesis decide final outcomes.[[2]] Despite advent of different technologies and methods, hand suturing techniques remain unparalleled in versatility.

The simple interrupted, continuous, vertical or horizontal mattress sutures, all have their utilities and drawbacks. The hybrid mattress suture judiciously balances the pros and cons of vertical and horizontal mattress suturing and is executed with speed.[[3]] Wu et al. employ a combination of vertical and horizontal mattress on opposite sides of the defect, a technique suited to closing unequal size margins.[[4]]

We have devised a hybrid technique of vertical and horizontal mattress suturing as a buried variant.

• REFERENCES

• 1 Samhita Samhita. Vol. 3. Translated by Bhishagratna KL. Varanasi, India: Chowkhamba Sanskrit Series Office; 1907-1911 1963: p. 17 304, 456, 519.
• 2 Parsons RW. Scar prognosis. Clin Plast Surg 1977; 4: 181-6
• 3 Hoffman MD, Bielinski KB. Surgical pearl: The hybrid mattress suture. J Am Acad Dermatol 1997; 36: 773-4
• 4 Wu W, Chavez-Frazier A, Migden M, Nguyen T. The buried half horizontal, half vertical mattress suture: A novel technique for wound edges of unequal lengths. Dermatol Surg 2016; 42: 1391-3