Do-It-Yourself Microsuture from Human Hair for Basic Microsurgical Training

Abstract

Background Microsuture is an essential material for basic microsurgical training. However, it is consumable, expensive, and sometimes unavailable in the microsurgical laboratory. To solve this problem, we developed a microsuture made from human hair and needle gauge. Methods Do-It-Yourself (DIY) microsuture is made from human hair and needle gauge 32G (BD Ultra-Fine Pen Needles 4 mm × 32G). Methods are explained step by step. This DIY microsuture (labeled as “test microsuture”) and nylon 8–0 (Ethilon suture 8–0, labeled as “standard microsuture”) were used for teaching orthopaedic residents to perform arterial anastomosis in chicken thighs. All residents practiced without knowing that “test microsuture” was made from the DIY method. After completing the training, quality of both microsutures was evaluated by questionnaire in topics of (1) thread quality (size, strength, elasticity, handing, knot perform, and knot security), (2) needle quality (size, curve, shape, sharpness, handling, and strength), (3) needle–thread interface (size, strength, and smoothness), and (4) overall quality of microsuture. Each category was evaluated by Likert score (5 = excellent, 4 = good, 3 = fair, 2 = poor, and 1 = very poor). Results The DIY microsuture was performed in three steps: (1) insert human hair into needle gauge by microforceps, (2) bend needle into smooth curve, and (3) disconnect needle and create needle–hair interface. The questionnaire was completed by 30 orthopaedic residents and showed that thread quality of DIY and standard microsuture had “good” and “good-to-excellent” quality (mean Likert score: 3.77–4.23 and 3.80–4.27, respectively, with no statistical difference). Thread–needle interface quality of DIY and standard microsuture also had “good” and “good-to-excellent” quality (Likert score: 3.73–4.20 and 4.07–4.33, respectively, with no statistical difference). Needle part of DIY microsuture had lower quality than standard suture (fair-to-good compared with good-to-excellence quality, score 3.30–3.67 vs. 4.20–4.27, respectively, with a statistically significant difference, p-value < 0.05). However, overall quality of DIY suture and standard microsuture had “good” and “good-to-excellent” (mean Likert score: 3.73 and 4.00, respectively, with no statistical difference). Conclusion The DIY microsuture from human hair and needle gauge could be an alternative for basic microsurgical training with lower cost, easy production, and more availability for use in practice with acceptable quality compared with that of standard microsuture.

A comparison of using a smartphone versus a surgical microscope for microsurgical anastomosis in a non-living model

“…The nylon 8-0 and 10-0 suture materials used in this study were approximately 50% of the total cost. To reduce this expense, some studies have demonstrated that human hair can be used as a replacement for nylon sutures in microsurgical training [ 19 , 20 ].…”

Green Composites Based on Animal Fiber and Their Applications for a Sustainable Future

“…The thermoplastic films from the features were created and analysed, with the results revealing that the feather films were water resistant and strong [ 104 , 105 , 106 , 107 , 108 , 109 ]. This could be utilised to make biomaterials for a variety of biomedical applications [ 110 , 111 , 112 , 113 ]. Human hair has sufficiently high strength for use as sutures in most surgeries.…”

COVID-19 lockdown and beyond: Home practice solutions for developing microsurgical skills.

“…describe the use of human hair and insulin needles (BD Ultra-Fine Pen Needles 4 mm × 32 G, expresschemist.co.uk, £0.13 each) to make homemade microsurgical sutures ( Table 1 ). Feedback from trainees in their study suggested that human hair sutures ( Figure 1 ) was a “good-excellent” standard for microsurgical practice, equal to that of standard sutures 3 . This is reflected in our experience; we find that a hair of dark colour, mid length, coarse texture and wavy consistency works best.…”