Biomedical subjects
Publications and source records attributed to R Dortzbach.
The closure of surgical wounds can be improved by applying some basic techniques for suturing and for correcting suture errors. These techniques include 1) the locking stitch, 2) the pulley stitch for closing large gaping defects, and 3) a means of welding polyfilament synthetic polyamide suture and polypropylene suture.
A stepped surgical incision, in which an initial small cutaneous incision is followed by progressively longer incisions in the subcutaneous tissues, limits postoperative scar formation in the skin. Placement of incisions parallel to relaxed skin-tension lines further reduces the size of the scar. We describe how these principles may be applied to ophthalmic plastic surgical procedures to improve cosmesis. Autogenous fascia lata can be harvested with scissors through a 15-mm incision parallel to relaxed skin-tension lines, placed over the middle of the iliotibial tract. Lacrimal bypass operations can be performed well and with good cosmesis through a 12 to 15-mm skin wound if the above principles are followed.