- Gloves, sterile if possible
- 4×4 gauze pads for bleeding control and cleaning the wound
- Diluted Betadine solution for cleaning
- Sterile water for irrigation
- 1 percent lidocaine, 5 to 10 mL depending on size of laceration
- 25g or larger needles for drawing up and injecting the lidocaine
- 5- to 10-mL syringe for drawing up the lidocaine
- 3-0 to 5-0 non-absorbable nylon suture material for external sutures and Vicryl absorbable sutures (the larger the number, the smaller the needle and suture string)
- Two needle holders for the suture needle
- Toothed forceps to handle tissue
- Fine suturing scissors to cut the suture string
I have an ER sterile laceration kit prepackaged that I purchased from www.mooremedical.com that has all the instruments plus towels for draping the area, a tray for cleansing solutions, gauze and medicine cups. This is a very handy kit.
It is important to have the best quality instruments that you can.
To decrease the chance of infection, handle the laceration carefully, keeping the area clean and using sterile technique as much as possible. Always use gloves to protect yourself and your patient.
