Thread used by surgeons (8)
I believe the answer is:
ligature
'thread used by surgeons' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)
This is all the clue.
(Other definitions for ligature that I've seen before include "Something used to tie" , "Tie (to restrict flow of blood)" , "Binding used for strangulation" , "Tie; bandage" , "Bond" .)