Sutures should be removed within 1-2 weeks of their placement, depending on the anatomic location. Prompt removal reduces the risk of suture marks, infection, and tissue reaction. The average wound usually achieves approximately 8% of its expected tensile strength 1-2 weeks after surgery.
Stitches and staples are used to keep wounds together during healing. They need to be removed within 4-14 days. The specific removal date depends on the location of the stitches or staples. Removal should not be delayed.
If the stitches are taken out too soon, the wound might not have healed properly. If you leave them in too long, they can be more difficult to remove and increase the risk of scarring.
The doctor who puts in the stitches or staples will tell you when to see your doctor or nurse to have them taken out. Non-absorbable stitches usually stay in for 5 to 14 days, depending on where they are. Staples usually stay in for 7 to 10 days.
These are the usual time periods: stitches on your head – you'll need to return after 3 to 5 days. stitches over joints, such as your knees or elbows – you'll need to return after 10 to 14 days. stitches on other parts of your body – you'll need to return after 7 to 10 days.
When the stitches remain in the skin for too long, it can result in additional scarring. Non-absorbable sutures can also be used for internal wounds which need to heal for an extended amount of time. Depending on the material used for the sutures, non-absorbable sutures may be permanent or slowly deteriorate.
Older wounds are believed to have a greater risk for infection and should be left open in order to prevent it. Furthermore, surgeons even defined specific time cut-offs or “golden periods” after which the wound should not be primarily closed.
They can take several weeks to dissolve. Occasionally stitches may not dissolve completely. If they are still bothering you, after the wound has healed, make an appointment with your practice nurse at your local GP surgery.
Signs it's working: During this stage of healing, you may experience swelling, redness or pain while your wound heals. Your skin may also feel hot to the touch, and you may see a clear liquid around your wound. These are all signs that the inflammatory stage of wound healing is well underway.
Sometimes instead of dissolving the sutures, your body will push the suture out of your body. When it does this, we call it “spitting” a stitch. This happens quite commonly, and when a stitch does come out, it can come to the surface with an inflamed red spot.
Removal of Stitches
The doctor simply clips each thread near the knot and pulls them out. You may feel a slight tugging sensation, but the removal of stitches shouldn't hurt at all. You won't even need an anesthetic. Although removing stitches is not a difficult process, you shouldn't try to remove them yourself.
The stitches in the skin should heal in 5-10 days. The underlying stitches in your muscle layer will take longer to heal. These won't completely heal for 12 weeks. For the stitches that you can see, make sure to watch for any signs of infection.
In general, the greater the tension across a wound, the longer the sutures should remain in place. As a guide, on the face, sutures should be removed in 5-7 days; on the neck, 7 days; on the scalp, 10 days; on the trunk and upper extremities, 10-14 days; and on the lower extremities, 14-21 days.
You will need to have the stitches removed, usually in 7 to 14 days. The doctor has checked you carefully, but problems can develop later. If you notice any problems or new symptoms, get medical treatment right away. Follow-up care is a key part of your treatment and safety.
Air dries out the wound and promotes cell death, not healing. Covering the wound maintains the natural moisture that helps keep cells alive. An exposed cut will pick up dirt and debris from the air. A wound that heals in a moist environment is less likely to leave a scar.
-Apply Vaseline or Aquaphor healing ointment to the sutured site 3-4x/ day for the next three to four days. The ointment will help the wound heal more quickly and minimize scarring. We prefer Vaseline or Aquaphor to antibiotic ointment due to the increase in allergic reactions to antibiotic ointments such as Neosporin.
After 48 hours, surgical wounds can get wet without increasing the risk of infection. After this time, you can get your stitches wet briefly with a light spray (such as in the shower), but they should not be soaked (for example, in the bath). Make sure you pat the area dry afterwards.
Your wound can swell, bleed, or split open if it is stretched or bumped. You may need to wear a bandage that supports your wound until it is completely healed. Care for a scar. You may have a scar after the stitches are removed.
The original dressing can be left in place for up to two days (or as advised by the nurse/doctor), as long as it is not oozing. The wound must be kept dry for two days. If the dressing becomes wet from blood or any other liquid, it must be changed. do not apply antiseptic cream under the dressing.
If the wound is spread open, it will heal by filling in from the bottom and sides. A wound that is not stitched may take 1 to 4 weeks to heal, depending on the size of the opening. You will probably have a visible scar. You can discuss revision of the scar with your healthcare provider at a later time.
However, they can sometimes become infected. Some symptoms of infected stitches are worsening pain, redness, swelling, and pus around the wound. In this article, we discuss the symptoms of infected stitches in more detail. We also cover the treatment options available and how to prevent an infection.
Redness, swelling, warmth at the infected region, fever, discomfort, and swollen and painful lymph nodes are signs of infection. Those who have infected sutures may develop: Seeing red streaks or redness around the area. In the area of the stitches, there will be tender and swollen lymph nodes.