A skin graft should not experience more tension than which suture gauge can hold under max tension?

A skin graft should not experience more tension than which suture gauge can hold under max tension?

• A. 3-0
• B. 4-0
• C. 5-0
• D. 2-0

Answer: (B)

The intended lesson is about matching the tension on a skin graft to the strength of the suture used to secure it. Suture strength grows as the gauge number decreases (thicker sutures). For skin grafts, you want enough hold to keep the graft from shifting, but not so much that you risk crushing tissue, impairing blood flow, or causing tissue trauma at the edges. A 4-0 suture sits at a practical middle ground: it can tolerate the typical maximum tension placed on a graft without being unnecessarily bulky. Thicker gauges like 2-0 would be stronger than needed and could cause more tissue trauma, while thinner gauges like 5-0 may not withstand the required tension and could lead to graft movement or failure. Therefore, the graft should not experience more tension than what a 4-0 suture can hold.

The intended lesson is about matching the tension on a skin graft to the strength of the suture used to secure it. Suture strength grows as the gauge number decreases (thicker sutures). For skin grafts, you want enough hold to keep the graft from shifting, but not so much that you risk crushing tissue, impairing blood flow, or causing tissue trauma at the edges. A 4-0 suture sits at a practical middle ground: it can tolerate the typical maximum tension placed on a graft without being unnecessarily bulky. Thicker gauges like 2-0 would be stronger than needed and could cause more tissue trauma, while thinner gauges like 5-0 may not withstand the required tension and could lead to graft movement or failure. Therefore, the graft should not experience more tension than what a 4-0 suture can hold.