VidieM Products Sunkadakatte, Bangalore, Karnataka

This type of needle penetrates and passes through tissues by stretching without cutting. A sharp tip at the point flattens to an oval/rectangular shape. The sharpness is determined by taper ratio (8-10:1) and tip angle (20-35•a). The needle is sharper if it has a higher taper ratio and lower tip angle. The taper-point needle is used for easily penetrated tissues (eg, subcutaneous layers, dura, peritoneum, abdominal viscera)

Cutting edge on the Outside. Decrease the likelihood of sutures pullling through tissue.The body of this needle is triangular in cross-section with the apex cutting edge on the outside on the outside of the needle curvature. This improves the strength of the needle and particularly increases resistance to bending. The tissue is protected in case of accidental traction. The third cutting edge is on the outer convex curvature of the needle (depth-seeking). These needles are stronger than conventional cutting needles and have a reduced risk of cutting out tissue. The needles are designed for tissue that is tough to penetrate (eg, skin, tendon sheaths, oral mucosa). Reverse-cutting needles are also beneficial in cosmetic and ophthalmic surgery, causing minimal trauma.

In this type of needle the third cutting edges is on the inner, concave curvature (surface-seeking). This type of point is normally less preferred than the reverse cutting. The point of this needle is triangular in cross-section with the apex cutting edge on the inside of the needle curvature. it is used for keratinized mucosa, skin or subcuticular layers where the tissue is difficult to penetrate.cuts more tissue than necessary.Risk of accidental cutting from a depth upwards is maximum Needle body is triangular and has a sharpened cutting edge inside curve.For tough tissue e.g. skin TendonsTriangular cross section with apex on inside of needle curvature up to half length of needleCut at tip and edges of needleSuture canal extends superfical to path of needle tip ,may pull out tissue during needle passageUsed for skin, fascia and aponeurosis

Needles without cutting tips completely lost their importance in our fields of surgery some years ago. The capability to penetrate tissue is very low but the appearance of high-risk patients ( HIV,HCV,etc.) has caused their use in oral surgery to be revaluated.