Abstract: A threading device assembly for use in plastic surgery that includes a first elongated rod having first and second opposite ends, a second elongated rod having first and second opposite ends, and a suture having first and second opposite ends. The first end of the suture is secured to the first elongated rod at a location that is approximately halfway between the first and second ends, and the second end of the suture is secured to the second elongated rod at a location that is approximately halfway between the first and second ends.

Abstract: Provided herein is a method of marking the skin before surgery. The method includes the steps of providing first and second tape members each having a plurality of perforations defined therethrough, placing the first tape member on a portion of the skin overlying the right submandibular border, placing the second tape member on a portion of the skin overlying the left submandibular border, marking the skin through at least one of the perforations in the first tape member, marking the skin through at least one of the perforations in the second tape member, and removing the first and second tape members from the skin. In a preferred embodiment, the markings made using the first tape member are symmetrical with the markings made with the second tape member.

Abstract: Described herein is a threading device that includes an elongated rod having first and second opposite ends, and a suture having first and second opposite ends. The first end of the suture is associated with the rod. The rod is at least partially covered with a coating that secures the first end of the suture to the rod. The second end of the suture extends outside the coating. This provides a threading rod having a suture permanently attached thereto.

Abstract: Described herein is a surgical instrument that includes a tubular member having first and second opposite ends and a longitudinal axis, an instrument dock extending from the first end of the tubular member that includes an opening for receiving a rod, and a light source. Light from the light source is directed out of the opening in the instrument dock. In a preferred embodiment, the article of manufacture includes a nose cone and a tail cone that actuates the light source.

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.

Abstract: Described herein is a threading device that includes an elongated tube having first and second open ends and a suture tie-off location disposed approximately halfway between the first and second ends, a light guide extending through the elongated tube, and a suture received in an tied around the suture tie-off location. The light guide has first and second ends that are substantially flush with the first and second ends of the tube.

Abstract: Provided herein is a method of performing surgery and the associated instruments therefor. The method includes the steps of placing a tape template onto a portion of a patient's skin, marking a plurality of access sites, making an opening to form a mid-line access site, performing liposuction, forming a plurality of openings in the skin at the access sites, inserting a skin port into each of the openings, inserting a skin port into the mid-line access site, providing a threading device having a suture tied thereto, inserting the threading device and suture through at least one skin port to form a suture matrix under the skin, pulling the ends of the suture through the skin port in the mid-line access site, tying the ends of the suture into a knot, pushing the knot through the skin port in the mid-line access site and under the skin, and removing the skin ports from the openings at the access sites.

Abstract: A threading device that includes an elongated tube having first and second opposite ends and a fiberoptic core. The elongated tube includes an interior and an eyelet defined therein. The first end of the elongated tube includes a blunt tip affixed thereto and the second end includes a threaded connector. The blunt tip is translucent. The fiberoptic core includes at least one fiberoptic strand extending through the interior of the elongated tube that illuminates the translucent tip when the at least one fiberoptic strand is energized.