| abstract |
A method for threading a suture in a patient's body. The method includes the steps of providing a suture, providing a threading device comprising an elongated rod having a suture tie-off location and first and second ends, tying the suture to the suture tie-off location, inserting the first end of the elongated rod through a first opening in the patient's skin, passing the first end of the elongated rod subcutaneously to a second opening in the patient's skin, pulling the first end of the elongated rod and a portion of the suture through the second opening, without turning the elongated rod around, and passing the second end of the elongated rod subcutaneously to an opening in the patient's skin. At least one point during the performance of the method the first end of the elongated rod extends out of the first opening and the second end of the elongated rod extends through the second opening. In a preferred embodiment, the first and second ends of the threading device are each lighted at predetermined points during the method. |