Wash hands and put on sterile gloves
Gather sterile suture kit, needle holder, forceps, scissors, gauze, antiseptic, and local anesthetic if needed
Clean and drape the wound
Assess the wound for depth, contamination, bleeding, and need for referral
Control bleeding with direct pressure
Numb the area with local anesthetic if appropriate
Irrigate the wound thoroughly with sterile saline or clean water
Remove visible debris and nonviable tissue if trained to do so
Choose the appropriate suture material and needle
Load the needle securely in the needle holder
Approximate wound edges with forceps
Insert the needle perpendicular to the skin edge
Pass the needle through the tissue with a smooth curved motion
Exit the needle at an equal distance from the wound edge on the opposite side
Tie the first knot securely
Place additional throws to secure the knot
Repeat stitches at regular intervals to close the wound evenly
Avoid excessive tension on the skin edges
Check that wound edges are well approximated and not blanched
Trim suture ends to appropriate length
Apply antiseptic if indicated
Cover with a sterile dressing
Dispose of sharps safely
Document the procedure and provide aftercare instructions
Remove sutures at the appropriate time based on wound location and healing
Seek professional training before attempting suturing on a person