The surgeon's knot is a

surgical knot Surgical knots (ligatures) are the knots used to bind suture materials together while binding tissue in surgery. They are used in medical and veterinary settings. History Surgical knots have been used since the first century when they were des ...

and is a simple modification to the

reef knot The reef knot, or square knot, is an ancient and simple binding knot used to secure a rope or line around an object. It is sometimes also referred to as a Hercules knot. The knot is formed by tying a left-handed overhand knot between two ends, ...

. It adds an extra twist when tying the first throw, forming a

double overhand knot The double overhand knot or barrel knot is simply an extension of the regular overhand knot, made with one additional pass. The result is slightly larger and more difficult to untie. It forms the first part of the surgeon's knot and both sides ...

. The additional turn provides more friction and can reduce loosening while the second half of the knot is tied. This knot is commonly used by

surgeons In modern medicine, a surgeon is a medical professional who performs surgery. Although there are different traditions in different times and places, a modern surgeon usually is also a licensed physician or received the same medical training as ...

in situations where it is important to maintain tension on a suture, giving it its name. Surgeon's knots are also used in

fly fishing Fly fishing is an angling method that uses a light-weight lure—called an artificial fly—to catch fish. The fly is cast using a fly rod, reel, and specialized weighted line. The light weight requires casting techniques significantly diffe ...

, in tying quilts, and for tying knots with twine; it is particularly useful in tying raw meat with

butcher's twine A butcher is a person who slaughters animals, dresses their flesh and sells their meat. Butcher, The Butcher, Butchers, or Butcher's may also refer to: People * Butcher (surname), a common surname Epithet In real life * Butcher of Amritsa ...

, as the wet meat creates similar risks of loosening as surgery. Some sources categorize the surgeon's knot as a bend, since it can be effective as such. Like the reef knot, the surgeon's knot capsizes and fails if one of the working ends is pulled away from the standing end closest to it.

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{{knot-stub Surgical procedures and techniques Jewellery making Fishing knots

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