ABSTRACT
Positioning the needle in the suture holder The needle should be held at the tip (or very close to the tip) of the suture holder, at 90° to it and two-thirds of the way down around the needle, to avoid it bending when used. Suture/needle holders with tungsten carbide jaws (see page 11) have narrow jaws that do not flatten the curved needle, while at the same time ensuring a firm grip on the needle. Figure 17.3a shows the needle held correctly at the tip of the needle holder and at 90° to it, with the needle held no more than two-thirds along its length. Any further and the needle holder would be grasping the hollow, crushable, and bendable section of the needle.
