A lattice stitch and stitching method for closing wounds are characterized by the use of a tension limiting device. First and second anchor stitches are arranged in a tissue layer spaced from and generally parallel to the wound, with the first and second anchor stitches being on opposite sides of the wound. A closing stitch is looped around the fist and second anchor stitches and tied to draw the wound to a closed condition. The tension limiting device is used during stitching of the anchor stitches. The device is arranged between the anchor stitches and the tissue layer adjacent to the wound to prevent over-tightening of the anchor stitches and lend support to the closure. The tension limiting device can be used in any soft tissue surgical application to displace and disperse suture tension at the surface of the underlying soft tissue, to fasten a dressing to the surface of a wound, and to bolster skin graft repairs of wounds.
