Locking horizontal mattress suture.

Abstract

The horizontal mattress suture is useful in wounds in which there is a need for wound edge compression to provide hemostasis, closure is under moderate tension, or edge eversion is important. Its primary disadvantage is difficult suture removal and precise wound edge apposition. We describe a locking horizontal mattress technique that facilitates suture removal and provides more control over wound edge placement while providing hemostasis, tensile strength, and eversion.