What is a double armed suture?

A double armed suture is defined as a suture that has a needle attached to each end of the suture material. This design is particularly beneficial during surgical procedures because it allows the surgeon to insert and tie off the suture from both ends without needing to switch needles or re-thread a single needle. This can enhance efficiency and efficacy, especially in complex or time-sensitive situations.

In surgical practice, the double armed suture is commonly used to close wounds or secure tissue layers together, making it easier for the surgeon to work quickly and maintain tension evenly across the suture line. The dual needles facilitate maneuvers such as continuous suture patterns or precise adjustments when approximating tissue.

The other options do not accurately describe a double armed suture. For instance, a single needle attached to one end of the suture would not qualify as double armed, and a suture with no needles obviously would not be functional for surgical stitching. Additionally, two independent sutures would refer to separate lengths of suture material without any attachment, thus not fitting the definition of being double armed.