Polite Dissent

Catwoman #43 “Pest Control”
Andersen Gabrych, writer
Rick Burchett, artist

After Onyx and her gang are savagely attacked by Killer Croc, she comes to Catwoman for help. While recuperating in one of Catwoman’s hideouts, Onyx sews up her own forehead laceration as the picture on the right shows (click on the image for a larger view).

You’ll notice that Onyx is using a straight needle. In the past, I’ve pointed out that a curved needle is the best method of suturing skin lacerations. When I complained about this previously it was because the supposedly state-of-the-art Xavier Institute was using outdated techniques. In this situation, Onyx probably used whatever was on hand so it makes sense that she’d use a straight needle (though it’s a lot harder to sew skin with one than the panel suggests).

Suturing oneself is possible, though moderately difficult – especially when using a mirror. Tying the knots is the hardest part.

The question is whether or not this laceration should be closed at all. Onyx obtained the cut in a fight with Killer Croc, so it’s logical to assume that she was scratched by one of his claws. Now, Killer Croc has never been known for his good hygiene; in fact, until recently he was living in a sewer. The risk of infection from this injury is quite high.

Generally, wounds with a high chance of infection are not sutured shut because this only increases the risk of infection. The rules aren’t hard and fast; there’s a great deal of debate on this topic. Some physicians will close facial wounds because there is good blood flow to the face and so less chance of infection. Other physicians are more cautious about facial wounds because of the close proximity of important structures such as the nose and eyes. The amount of time elapsed since the injury, the extent of crush damage (common with bites) and how well the wound was cleaned are other key points.

If Onyx’s wound was fairly shallow and has been cleaned very well, then suturing it closed is probably safe. On the other hand, if it’s a deep wound or one that hasn’t been cleaned, suturing would be a bad idea.

I suspect it was a shallow wound that she cleaned well then sutured up with whatever material was readily available so it wouldn’t be bleeding during her rematch with Killer Croc.