What is one necessary specification of all suture materials?

a. Must be sterile when placed in tissue
b. As large a diameter as possible must be used to ensure proper hold
c. Removal must occur within 7 to 10 days postoperatively
d. Must be greatly reactive to skin and tissue to be effective

ANS: A
Suture material must be sterile when placed in tissue. Sterile techniques must be rigidly followed in handling suture material. Almost all postoperative wound infections are initiated along or adjacent to suture lines. Affinity for bacterial contamination varies with the physical characteristics of the material.