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To the Editor.
—The paper entitled "Ligature and Suture Material" by W. S. Halsted which you published in the August issue (Arch Surg 87:216, 1963) is one of my favorites. I have long hoped that its contents would be widely publicized, particularly the part dealing with the "Epithelial Stitch," and have referred to the latter in the past (JAMA 158:776, July 2, 1955). Although Halsted advocated its use in dogs as a means of avoiding infection, we have successfully employed it in several hundred humans for over 20 years. It is especially useful in the repair of jagged lacerations about the face. No other stitch can restore beveled skin edges as well. A subcuticular layer is not necessary as long as interrupted subcutaneous sutures are employed in sufficient number to overcome tension. Interrupted or continuous epithelial stitches may be preferred depending upon the nature of the wound.