Which of the following is used to reinforce a primary suture line from wound disruption?

The retention suture is specifically designed to reinforce a primary suture line, particularly in situations where there is a high risk of wound disruption. This type of suture passes through both the skin and underlying tissues, creating additional support for the surgical closure.

Retention sutures are particularly useful in cases where patients may have excessive tension on their closure due to obesity, large wound size, or other factors that put stress on the sutured tissues. By distributing tension across a wider area and securing the tissue more firmly, retention sutures help prevent dehiscence (wound reopening) and promote better healing outcomes.

In contrast, continuous sutures are often used for their speed and uniformity of closure but do not provide the same level of reinforcement against wound disruption. Locking sutures may enhance tissue security in specific scenarios but are not primarily meant for reinforcement of a suture line. Subcuticular sutures are employed for cosmetic closure and are placed beneath the skin, which does not provide the same level of external reinforcement needed when high tension is present.

Thus, the unique design and purpose of retention sutures make them the most appropriate choice for reinforcing a primary suture line against wound disruption.