NAro - Your surgeon obviously is someone that nows what's what, and I think that he did it by the numbers. One of the things that always surprises me, (except in arterial bleeds) is how quickly direct pressure and the body's own clotting mechanisms will bring things under control even in significant wounds. Once that has taken place, clean cuts that are not a result of something that tears the tissues, have a tendency to just fall together, in what is a surprisingly nice fit. I always have Steri-strips around. They hold like crazy, the closure is easily reopened by removing them, (to examine for the beginnings of infection, or if treatment was done in haste to get out of danger, to reopen, finish debris removal, and clean the wound properly) and in a body part that will be in motion, keep the would closed.

While on this subject, clotting agents are now available over the counter like CELOX granules and Quick Clot sponges. I like the CELOX product better as it does not create any heat, and is easily removed in the definitive care setting. Clotting agents like this stuff are part of our front line combat kits, and it is pretty remarkable, with an clotting time of around 30 seconds for even a fairly large arterial bleed. If you use this in the civilian world, I like to take the empty package and wrap it in the bandage so the person who gets the patient in the ER etc. knows what's in the wound. This stuff is not technique sensitive... you just tear open the pouch and dump it in the wound, then pack, apply pressure, and bandage. No measuring, no issues. People with arterial bleeds, particularly large vessels such as the femoral artery, can go south in less than 5 minutes. This stuff will save a life. Again off topic, but thought it worth mentioning.