Understanding Surgical Needles: Types, Uses & Selection

Operating physicians select surgical needles according to several factors, including suture location, tissue type, suture material and procedural requirements. Surgical needles are sold in various shapes, types, thicknesses and lengths.

Cutting Needles

• Cutting needles are designed to cut through thick or dense tissues. This type of surgical needle is commonly used for sutures.

Taper-Point Needles

• Taper-point needles, often called round needles, are designed to penetrate and pass through tissues by stretching the tissue without cutting it.

Beveled, Conventional Cutting-Edge Needles

• Beveled, conventional cutting-edge needles are bend-resistant needles made from stainless steel that was heat-treated after being curved. These surgical needles are typically used to close lacerations.

Blunt-Point Needles

• Blunt-point needles dissect tissue rather than cut it. These surgical needles have rounded points to reduce the risk of needlestick injuries.

Intestinal Needles

• Intestinal needles are specifically designed to use in areas with a risk of leakage, such as the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, the urogenital tract and the biliary tract (for the conveyance of bile). The needle makes a hole that is immediately filled with the suture material.