I too remember reading that the people venturing on artic/antartic missions had their appendix removed before the travel.
Same for solo sailors, before an "around the world" trip on the oceans.

Well I did stitch my finger once (young/stupid)and got to the ER few days later becasue I couldn't bend my finger from swelling from infection setting in. Doc removed all my stitches, cut the wound open, cleaned it up, closed it again and put me on antibiotics. Later on I got a lecture on stupidity. Lecture stayed with me. Now I'm older and know how to stitch and do so in the clinic under supervision of a doc or pa. I would stitch a wound in the field (preferably a clean lanceration )and keeping a clean area is easier than you think with proper supplies of course but surgery would be out of my league. Self stitching is possible (with enough Lidocaine) but that also depends where the wound is. It's a brave action and would be my last resort and only if I had proper supplies. None of that Rambo/Road House stuff.

Just by the way, a nice article on wounds treatment:
http://www.fleshandbones.com/readingroom/pdf/1191.pdf

I'm wondering why the tissue glue is not comonly included in Med Kits:
"Although suturing remains the most common
method of closing wounds, topical skin adhesives
are increasingly being used in place of nonabsorbable
sutures, staples and adhesive strips. They
offer a fast and less traumatic closure for
appropriately selected wounds. Tissue adhesives are
indicated for the closure of topical skin incisions
and trauma-induced lacerations in areas of low skin
tension. Topical adhesives may be applied over
wounds initially under tension, as long as the
tension is first alleviated by applying either
subcutaneous or subcuticular sutures according to
standard practice. Topical adhesives are not to be
applied over joints, such as knees or elbows."

It's much better than a bandage, even on joints for small cuts.

unless you had a deep cut, i agree that "steri-strips" - paper tape with embedded stings of fiberglass - would be more than enough to hold a wound closed. or use a gauze 2x2 or 4x4 on the cut or wound and then wrapped with 2" gauze will do until you get definitive e.r. care. clean and dry.

on more than one occasion i have treated my own fingertip cut with steri-strips, and keeping the part immobilized, clean and dry for 10 days, and carefully changing the steri-strip on day five, found the scar to be unnoticeable. much better than any stitches would have done. cleaned well initially, keeping immobile, clean and dry are the secrets.

The "steri-strips" are not always convenient. They're only good for even surfaces. The glue will adopt to any curve, sealing the wound from elements much better, even on hairy surfaces. It's also removes itself in 5 days. AFAIK, it's also containing an active antibacterial agent.

I wondered why I never thought of it - tho' the bottle of "New Skin" liquid bandage is glass and fragile. No expiration date listed. I found very little info on the net regarding toxicity. I'll be on the lookout for plastic containers.

Great for scratches and cuts on the hands. My husband plays with our cats: you can guess why he uses it more often than me.

It's not toxic. I saw an article about Turkish research of its properties compared to stitching in children after circumcision - works and heals better than stitching.

Found some in a plastic bottle here: http://www.healthypets.com/nexliq15ml.html
Though, that one is expensive. It must be cheaper somewhere.
I'm from Russia, and I remember using such a glue all the time when I was young. It was something very affordable for 2oz bottle.

It seems to me, the topic must be renamed to "GLUING BACK BODY PARTS" now Maybe better to open a new thread?