A Text-book of Diseases of Women

by Charles B. Penrose

Fig. 28.—Sponge-holder.

For all operations on the perineum round-pointed needles curved at the tip should be used ([Fig. 29]). The tissues are always sufficiently soft for the passage of such a needle. A needle with a cutting edge is unnecessary and may increase the bleeding.

The needle may be held in any kind of needle-holder preferred. The Emmet needle-holder ([Fig. 30]) is very convenient.

Fig. 29.—Emmet’s perineal needle.

Fig. 30.—Emmet’s needle-holder.

The point of the needle should be guided and held by the tenaculum. The tenaculum must always be held in a plane parallel with the plane of the needle-holder; otherwise the needle-point may escape from the embrace of the tenaculum.

Silver wire and silkworm gut are the best sutures in the operation of perineorrhaphy.