Suture Removal

What is suture removal?

Suture (SOO-chur) removal is a procedure to take sutures (stitches) out of your skin. Sutures are used to close a cut or wound on your skin. Sutures help decrease pain and help you heal faster. Once your wound has healed, you will need to see your caregiver to have your sutures taken out.

When and why do I need to have my sutures removed?

Sutures on your face need to be removed after 3 to 5 days. Sutures on your scalp need to be removed after 7 to 14 days. Sutures over joints may stay in place for as long as 14 days. Joints are places on your body where two bones meet, such as your elbows and knees. Sutures for wounds placed on other parts of your body may be removed after 7 to 10 days. Having your sutures removed may help prevent scars and tissue damage.

How do caregivers remove sutures?

You will be placed in a comfortable position. Caregivers may clean off blood and loose tissue before removing your sutures. Sterile forceps (clean tweezers) are used to pick up the knot of each suture. Scissors are used to cut the sutures. Forceps are used to pick up the suture and pull it out. You may feel a slight pull as a suture is removed. Some or all of your sutures may be removed. Tape may be placed across your wound after the sutures have been removed. This tape will peel off on its own. Do not pull it off.

What should I do to protect my wound and help it heal after my sutures are removed?

• Limit stretching the areas around your wound. This will help prevent bleeding and swelling of the wound area. Try not to bump or hit your wound site on anything as this could open the wound up.
  
  
• Ask your caregiver how you should bathe or shower. You may need to cover your wound with a waterproof dressing. If you do not need to use a waterproof dressing, remove your bandage. Throw it away in the trash. Carefully wash your wound with soap and water. Pat the area dry with a clean towel. Ask your caregiver if you need to put medicine, such as an antibiotic (germ-killing) ointment, on your wound. Cover your wound with a clean, new bandage.
  
  
• Wear a binder. Conditions such as a long-term illness and weighing too much put you at a higher risk of your wound coming apart. Using steroid medicine can increase this risk. If you are at a high risk, you may need to use a binder over the area of your wound. A binder is a snug piece of clothing that you wear to help keep your wound from pulling apart.
  
  
• Manage your medical conditions. If you have certain diseases, such as diabetes (high blood sugar) or heart disease, it may take longer for your wounds to heal. Conditions where there is poor blood flow to your arms and legs can also slow healing. Take your medicines as ordered. If you have diabetes, keep your blood sugar level in the right range. Ask caregivers for help managing other medical conditions.
  
  
• If your wound is on your arm or leg, raise the wound higher than the level of your heart. Doing this may help decrease pain and swelling. You can use pillows to elevate your arm or leg while you are sitting or lying down.
  
  
• Drink enough liquids. Men 19 years old and older should drink about 13 eight-ounce cups of liquid each day. Women 19 years old and older should drink about 9 eight-ounce cups of liquid each day. Follow your caregiver's advice if you must change the amount of liquid you drink. For most people, good liquids to drink are water, juices and milk.
  
  
• Tell caregivers about all of the medicines that you use. Using certain medicines, such as steroids, cancer medicines and blood thinners may delay wound healing.
  
  
• Eat foods that are high in protein. Taking vitamins and eating healthy foods that are high in protein may help your wound heal. Poultry, meat, and dairy products such as eggs and cheese, are high in protein. Ask your caregiver if you should use vitamins, and for more information about a high-protein diet.
  
  
• Do not smoke cigars, pipes or cigarettes. Smoking may cause blood vessels on your wound site to get smaller. When this happens, your wound will not have a good supply of blood. A good blood supply is needed to carry oxygen and nutrients to your wound so that it will heal.

When should I call my caregiver?

Call your caregiver if:

• You have more pain in your wound area.
  
  
• You have more redness and swelling in your wound area.
  
  
• You have pus coming from your wound, and it has a bad smell.
  
  
• You see red streaks on the skin around your wound.

When should I seek care immediately?

Call 911 or get to the nearest emergency room if:

• You do not have a splint, your wound is over a joint and you suddenly cannot move the joint.
  
  
• You have shaking chills or a fever.
  
  
• You have sudden numbness (loss of feeling) or swelling around your wound.
  
  
• Your bandages get soaked with blood.
  
  
• The edges of your wound begin to come apart.

Care Agreement

You have the right to help plan your care. To help with this plan, you must learn about wound care. Work with your caregivers to decide what care will be used to treat you. You always have the right to refuse treatment.

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The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.