Free: Suture material- expired

[sanibel sailor]

I have some suture that is expired and cannot be used at the hospital. We usually keep some for students but rotations are curtailed.
Thought people might like to have some to practice. I can not recommend keeping for actual use.
5/0 Ethilon is fine nylon monofilament skin suture and 2/0 Vicryl braided absorbable deep layer suture.
I have 10 pairs of packs I can mail out, US only.

Reply to thread to get dibs and send me PM with name/address

[JPA Cate]

What happens to it when it "expires"? Is it that you can't be sure it is sterile any more?

Ann

[sanibel sailor]

Sterility is no longer guaranteed.
Important in an OR where things are (supposed to be) sterile, especially so in an elective surgery using implantable devices.
It is probably much less important aboard when repairing a traumatic injury with likely poor sterility, crude facilities and no foreign material being implanted.

[a64pilot]

Originally Posted by JPA Cate

What happens to it when it "expires"? Is it that you can't be sure it is sterile any more?

Ann

Exactly, but has to do with storage conditions etc, the dates come from what the manufacturer is comfortable in guaranteeing worst case, sort of like EPIRB batteries, not actual testing to see how long it will actually remain sterile.
Mine are from when I was flying in the NWT of Canada and I’m sure out of date, but if needed they will be used.

[captainstubbie]

dibs sent pm