Surgical Assistant how-to

How to Close a Skin Incision

Good closure reduces scarring.

Updated By the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team
Quick answer

Good closure reduces scarring. In short: approximate; align; place, then complete the remaining steps below.

Step by step

  1. Approximate deeper layers.

  2. Align skin edges.

  3. Place sutures or staples evenly.

  4. Check tension.

  5. Clean the site.

  6. Apply a dressing.

Safety reminders for surgical assistants

  • Follow sterile technique
  • Use sharps safety
  • Pad pressure points
  • Participate in counts and time-outs

Exposure · Retraction · Hemostasis · Cautery · Suture · Sterile field: see the full surgical assistant glossary.

More surgical assistant how-to guides

Learn this in Surgical Assistant trainingTake the practice test
Enroll in trainingTake fit quiz