Suture passages for prostheses

An implant having a suture pocket comprising:

• a first pocket having a first wall segment;
• and
• a suture hole adjoining the first pocket, the suture hole having a first sidewall segment extending from a first opening to a second opening,
• wherein the first wall segment and the first sidewall segment of the suture hole form a contiguous surface such that a suture needle can be slidably guided along the first wall segment and the first sidewall segment of the suture hole.

A method of suturing an implant, comprising:

• providing an implant having suture pockets with a first pocket having a first wall segment, a second pocket having a second wall segment, and a suture hole disposed between the first and second pockets, the suture hole having a first sidewall segment extending from a first opening to a second opening, wherein the first wall segment, the second wall segment and the first sidewall segment of the suture hole form a contiguous surface;
• placing a tip of a suture needle on the first wall segment;
• sliding the suture needle into the first opening;
• and
• pushing the suture needle through the suture hole such that the tip of the suture needle exits the second opening.