A well-sutured wound is its key good healing. After any operation, the wound is closed with sutures. For this purpose, special medical suture material is used. Each layer of the wound is stitched with a separate row of stitches. The operation is completed by suturing the skin. As a rule, this is done using threads. After the wound has healed, the skin sutures must be removed.

On what day are stitches removed?

The time frame for removing sutures varies from several days to 2-3 weeks. This depends on several factors:

• Localization of the wound. If the wound is located on the abdomen (for example after caesarean section or appendicitis) terms are 5-8 days, on the hand and fingers 10-12 days, with localization in the joint area– up to 2 weeks.
• Condition of skin and tissues. If the edges of the wound are severely injured and poorly adapted to each other, there is no need to rush to remove the sutures, the time frame is 2 weeks.
• Depth of the wound. If the wound is superficial, the time frame is shorter.
• Method of wound suturing. Some surgeons use an intradermal suture, which does not require removal at all.

Does it hurt when removing stitches?

Of course, each person has a different pain threshold, plus different parts of the body have different sensitivity. But we can definitely say that properly applied sutures allow them to be removed almost painlessly. No anesthesia is required.

The “golden rule” for removing sutures: they must be removed by the one who applied them. Unfortunately, this is not always possible.

Cosmetic seams: do they exist?

It is more correct to talk about a cosmetic incision. During the operation, surgeons use an incision along the natural folds of the body, and after the operation they close the wound with an intradermal suture. In this case, the scar “hides” in a natural fold and becomes less noticeable. If the wound was caused by accident or the surgical approach was outside the natural folds, the scar will still be noticeable. When using intradermal sutures, there will be no characteristic points on the sides of the wound, but the scar will still remain.

Can I remove the stitches myself?

It is strictly forbidden to remove stitches yourself! Any intervention in the wound should only be carried out by a doctor (not even a nurse). Otherwise, if complications arise (suppuration, fistula), you will only have yourself to blame.

Where can stitches be removed for a fee?

Now in any commercial medical center, where there are appropriate doctors, they will remove the stitches without any problems. This procedure in Smolensk costs between 200-300 rubles. The most important thing is that this should be done by a doctor of the same specialty who performed the operation. The surgeon should not remove sutures after gynecological or trauma surgery, and vice versa.

Removing sutures from a wound is the removal of a special material to connect biological tissues, which is used to stop bleeding and heal skin damage. The procedure is carried out on average for 5–9 days. You can remove suture threads yourself if you know the rules and follow the doctor’s instructions.

Surgical intervention is indicated when the integrity of the skin and underlying tissues is compromised. Damage is caused by cuts, deep incised wounds, and punctures. To connect the excision site, suturing is carried out, and the edges of the injured area are tightened using staples or special threads. Sutures to be removed can be of three types:

• primary – after surgical intervention on the boundaries of the dissected injury;
• secondary - on a granulating scar when the edges of the wound diverge;
• provisional - they are applied temporarily, during the operation, at the next stage - they are removed.

In medicine, there are times for removing sutures, depending on the location of the wound:

1. General – 6–9 days.
2. On the head and neck – 6–7 days.
3. Caesarean section – 7–10.
4. Sutures on the perineum - on the 5th day.
5. Chest, feet, legs – 10–15 days.
6. Mole removal – 7–10.

In addition to the prescribed timing, you need to focus on two main facts by which the doctor determines the timing of suture removal:

• the color of the scar should match the surrounding tissues;
• absence of granulations at the wound site.

If there is compaction on the tissue or the edges of the damage turn red, this indicates the development of an inflammatory process. If such symptoms occur, remove the surgical sutures yourself.

Contact us for medical care to avoid the development of pathology.

Is it possible to remove stitches yourself?

Removal of surgical threads is carried out regardless of the location of the sutured skin lesion. If possible, it is better to consult a doctor. You can remove stitches from a wound yourself at home if they small size, the scar is in normal condition. To carry out the manipulation, you need to be well prepared, arm yourself with tools that can be found in the pharmacy:

• surgical or nail scissors;
• tweezers;
• utensils for sterilizing instruments (saucepan);
• antiseptic for the wound (hydrogen peroxide, alcohol, iodine);
• bandage;
• cotton wool;
• sterile rubber gloves;
• patch.

Sutures after abdominal operations cannot be removed independently. Removal should be carried out by a doctor who is able to adequately assess the condition of the scar and, if necessary, leave some stitches for a few more days. In some cases, remove postoperative sutures maybe an operating room nurse. You should not remove the connecting material yourself, regardless of the size of the wound, if:

• diagnosed with diabetes;
• the scar is located on the head;
• the incision is sutured with surgical staples;
• the wound is in a hard-to-reach place.

There is suture material that does not require removal. Internal sutures are applied to organs and vessels during abdominal operations.

Self-absorbing sutures are used to tighten the edges of such lesions.

Withdrawal algorithm

Stitches are removed from a sutured wound in medical institutions as follows:

1. Remove the bandage.
2. The edges of the injured area are assessed, the stitched area is examined, and the stitches are counted.
3. Iodopirone or 70% alcohol treats the skin near the scar.
4. A secondary narrow treatment of the tissue contraction site itself is performed.
5. Each stitch is cut one by one, and the suture is removed from the wound by pulling with tweezers.
6. Depending on the doctor's decision, not all stitches can be removed.
7. Having finished removing the threads, the wound area is treated with an antiseptic.
8. A sterile napkin is applied on top, secured with a bandage, or a bandage is applied.
9. After removing the sutures, the surgeon gives recommendations on how to care for damaged skin surfaces.

You can remove suture material from a small wound at home; the algorithm of actions will differ. Initially, you need to prepare everything you need to remove the threads.

1. Organize workplace for tools that will be useful when removing sutures. Remove all foreign objects from it, wipe off the dust, and treat the surface with alcohol. On a sterile napkin (tray), place a bandage, cotton wool, plaster, antiseptic (iodine, medical alcohol). The operation site should be well lit.
2. Boil a pan of water. Dip metal tools (scissors, tweezers) into water. Boil for 3-5 minutes. Place on a clean, dry towel over the area where surgery will be performed. After the instruments have dried, they must be wiped with alcohol.
3. Wash your hands with soap and dry. Wear sterile rubber gloves. Carefully remove the bandage (plaster) from the surface of the wound.
4. Before removal, inspect the scar surface for redness and inflammation. Treat the damaged area and the skin around the periphery of the seam.
5. Using tweezers, carefully pick up the stitch knot and lift it 2–3 mm. Place the jaw of the scissors under the thread and cut the suture material on the side of the knot.
6. Gently pull the thread at the knot so that the cut part opposite the knot is pulled through the skin. Carry out such manipulations with each stitch. Sharp pain during suture removal may indicate incorrect action. Unpleasant sensations and discomfort when pulling the threads are considered acceptable.
7. Treat the wound with an antiseptic. Apply a sterile bandage over it. If there are special doctor's recommendations, they must be followed.

After removal surgical suture, it is necessary to follow the rules of postoperative wound care:

1. Perform dressings twice a day (morning/evening).
2. Protect from injuries and unnecessary tension - at first it can lead to divergence of the edges.

Possible complications after suture removal

The formation of a scar on the skin occurs over 5–9 days. Sometimes during the healing process after removal of suture materials there is a danger of complications developing:

1. Blood appears - usually blood discharge from the wound is observed if the sutures are removed ahead of time. The main task is to adhere to hygiene to eliminate the risk of infection. Twice a day it is necessary to wash the area with an antiseptic and apply dressings.
2. If the wound opened after removing the sutures, the suture material was removed from the unhealed lesion. Tissue separation may be on the surface or within the affected area. In such cases, you need to see a doctor to re-tension the tissues.
3. Suppuration (wetting damage to the skin). The cause of the appearance of pus may be a lack of hygiene, scar care, or an infection was introduced when removing the suture material. The inflammatory process develops on the wound; the patient may notice a deterioration in health, fever, and general weakness. The treatment of suppuration in the postoperative suture should be carried out by a doctor. In addition to local therapy, you need to take antibiotics.
4. Formation of a large scar. Cosmetic plastic surgery for excision of scar tissue is indicated. The procedure involves the use of a laser.

A safe way to remove a suture is to have a procedure performed in a medical facility by a specialist.

If you decide to remove surgical threads at home, maintain complete sterility; after removing the suture material, treat the wound area until complete healing.

The day on which sutures are removed after surgery depends on the type of sutures used by the surgeon. This method is the most ancient and widespread type of joining the edges of cuts on the body. Among the varieties, the seams are removable and immersed.

The main characteristics of the materials and components used to complete the operation have always been strength and reliability. The more complex the knot is formed, the better. In this case, the seam should not be voluminous. The larger it is, the more likely a negative reaction to it is when the tissue is sewn together. Complications may begin. The volume of the node should be small. This way, the body will not distinguish what kind of foreign body is in it and will not react violently.

Types of seams and their characteristics

Sutures are distinguished according to the timing of application. delimit:

Immersed seams are permanent. Subsequently, they dissolve on their own without any residue. The material from which they are made is the small intestines of sheep. This thread is called catgut. It is not very strong, but is well accepted by the body. Removable seams are much more secure. The moment when the sutures are removed after surgery depends on the quality of the thread material. This usually happens after the incision has healed. Made with detachable threads:

The successful outcome of the operation largely depends on the correct placement of sutures. This determines normal blood circulation and is responsible for the absence of cavities in the wound, the appearance of which is undesirable. The optimal period for removing sutures after stitching the wound is up to 10 days. The healing process is influenced by a number of factors:

When the time comes to remove the sutures, the scar site is treated. Then the surgeon pulls the knot upward little by little, and when a thread appears that lies in the tissue, it is cut off. Extended wounds that have already grown together are not completely freed from stitches, but are done gradually, with a break of several days. At the end of the procedure, the suture is re-treated with an antiseptic and a special bandage is applied.

Return to zmistStandardi, doctors installed many years ago

Depending on the organ on which the operation was performed, the period during which the sutures are removed varies:

The doctor needs to accurately determine the time when the stitches need to be removed. This comes with experience. If the edges have grown together well, the threads are removed. But if the surgeon misses this point, then the person operated on will have problems. The scar will begin to fester. Removing the threads will become difficult because they will grow firmly into the body. The mark from the seams in this version will be very obvious. The anatomical features of the body also affect the timing of removal of suture threads, and it is not possible to say unequivocally that they are the same for everyone. Sutures on the surface of the skin and mucous membranes do not require much skill when removing. This work is entrusted to a responsible and experienced nurse. Otherwise, only the surgeon acts. But only a specialist determines the timing.

Return to zmistPeculiarities of suture removal after some surgical interventions

After childbirth, wounds with sutures heal within 14-20 days. Rehabilitation after injuries received during childbirth takes more than a month. The suture sites must be properly treated, otherwise there is a risk of infection. It penetrates the birth canal and leads to gynecological diseases. By caring for such sutures, you guarantee speedy healing of wounds.

After a caesarean section, the sutures are not removed for 7 days. Every day they are treated with antiseptics and bandages are changed. After a week, the abdominal area is completely freed from postoperative sutures. When the incision was sutured with absorbable threads, antiseptic treatment was also not neglected during the healing process. In the end, there is no need to remove anything, since the seams dissolve on their own after 2-3 months.

A scar on the abdomen after a cesarean section forms within a week, so doctors allow taking a shower after this period. Just try not to touch the splice area with a washcloth. This can be done after another 7 days.

Dental operations require getting rid of stitching threads for 8-10 days.

The doctor will determine this. Typically, the dentist does not stitch the wound, but rather stabilizes the edges of the wound. The threads are removed using cotton scissors and peroxide and anesthesia are applied. In ophthalmology, sharp curved instruments are also used. They are removed from the jar of alcohol only for use. At other times they are sterilized. Use eye tweezers of various shapes and apply drops. After the operation, at least 5 days must pass before the sutures are removed.

Surgical intervention of any complexity is a kind of stress for the body.

Even if performing an operation is a matter of life or death, the main task of the doctor is not only to perform it competently, but also to prepare the patient for further recovery.

The most common way to connect different biological tissues, for example, the edges of surgical incisions, lacerations or walls internal organs To reduce bleeding, the surgeon applies sutures.

It is advisable that the stitches be removed by the same specialist who placed them, however, there are situations when this is not possible.

A certain amount of time must pass for the wound to heal. If these deadlines have passed, and the wound looks completely healed, then you can try to remove the stitches yourself. But it is important to adhere to certain rules security.

So let's find out how a person can remove stitches at home? First, let's look at what seams are.

To apply sutures, various medical suture materials are used: absorbable or non-absorbable threads of biological or synthetic origin, as well as metal wire.

Sutures are divided depending on the time of their application: primary, delayed primary, provisional, early secondary and late secondary suture, as well as immersed and removable sutures.

A removable suture is a type of surgical suture when the suture material is removed from the tissues after the wound has healed, and when a submerged suture is applied, the suture material, remaining in the tissues, dissolves after a certain time.

The primary suture is used to close surgical wounds after completion of surgical intervention or to a traumatic cut or laceration immediately after surgical treatment.

A delayed primary suture is applied for a minimum of 24 hours and a maximum of 7 days, granulation should develop in a random wound, and then an early secondary suture is applied to the wound.

A provisional suture is one of the varieties of a delayed primary suture; in this case, the threads are applied during surgery and tied 2-3 days after surgery.

And a late secondary suture is applied within a period of 15 to 30 days or more when scar tissue appears in the wound.

Why is it important to remove stitches on time?

It is important to understand that stitches need to be applied correctly and removed in time..

What happens if the stitches are not removed? If this is not done in time, then dangerous inflammation may begin, as the body will try to get rid of the foreign material on its own.

A natural question arises: is it possible to remove the stitches yourself? Trying to remove stitches of any kind at home is not recommended. If you act independently, there is a very high probability of getting an infection, and this is fraught with serious consequences.

The timing of suture removal is influenced by the following factors:

• the presence of complications of the surgical wound;
• regenerative features of the body;
• general condition of the patient;
• patient's age;
• in what area of ​​the body the operation was performed;
• complexity of surgical intervention;
• features of the disease.

How long after surgery should the sutures be removed? To put it simply, this is very individual, so the timing can only be determined by your attending physician.

However, there are average terms that experts focus on. They depend on the type of surgical intervention (what kind of operation was performed) and the patient’s condition (weakened, for example, by cancer, the patient’s body will be less able to rehabilitate, so it may require additional time for tissue healing).

Doctors usually remove sutures after surgery:

• after head surgery - 6 days later;
• with a small opening of the abdominal wall (appendectomy or herniotomy) - after 7 days;
• for operations requiring a large opening of the abdominal wall (transection or laparotomy) - the sutures are removed on days 9-12;
• after surgical interventions on the chest, the sutures are removed on days 10-14;
• after amputation, the sutures must be removed after an average of 12 days;
• during surgical interventions in patients weakened by diseases and infections, in elderly, cancer patients (due to a decrease in the body’s ability to regenerate) - the procedure is carried out no earlier than 2 weeks later.

Preparation

Before proceeding with the actual removal of sutures, make sure that it is not dangerous to do so. In most cases, it is better not to touch the seams with your hands at all.

If the stitches appeared as a result of surgery or if they have not yet expired, then performing the procedure yourself is unlikely to bring positive results, but often it can cause harm.

Remember:

Choose what and how you are going to remove the stitches. At the same time, keep in mind that working with dull scissors is to your own detriment. Also, do not try to remove stitches with a knife, as it may slip and cut you!

What tools will you need:

• scalpel, surgical scissors, mounting knife or manicure clippers (sterilized);
• tweezers or tweezers (sterilized);
• alcohol and hydrogen peroxide;
• magnifying glass with built-in flashlight;
• antibiotic ointment;
• bandage (sterile).

Sterilize selected instruments. To do this, put them in a pan of boiling water for a few minutes, then you need to take them back, put them on a clean towel and wait until they are completely dry.

After this, wipe the tools with alcohol. Such measures will prevent infection in the wound.

Wash the area where you are going to remove stitches. All you need for this is water, soap and a clean towel.

You will also need cotton wool and alcohol to wipe the area around the seams with a cotton wool soaked in alcohol. Only after you are sure that the area around the seams is completely clean can you begin to work.

Let's take a closer look at how to remove stitches after surgery yourself.

If during the removal of the sutures the skin begins to bleed, this means one thing - you were in a hurry to remove the sutures! In this case, it is best to stop and see a doctor who will remove the remaining stitches.

Under no circumstances pull the knot itself through the skin, as it will certainly get stuck and cause bleeding.

If the suture is placed intradermally, it is usually not removed. In this case, you just need to cut the threads on both sides, pull them up a little and notch. Then the wound is treated according to the method described above and a bandage is applied.

In some cases, intradermal cosmetic sutures are removed. In this case, you need to pull the thread at one end while holding the other end of the wound.

So, removing sutures is a painless procedure, but still unpleasant. To do this, it is important to be patient a little. After a few days everything should heal completely, painful sensations pass the.

However, if pain appears after the stitches are removed, and the wound causes discomfort, you can take painkillers (Ketanov, Diclofenac, Meloxicam and others).

In addition, pain after suturing a wound may also be due to the fact that during tying knots, part of the nerve ending may remain in the wound, which is pulled, and therefore causes pain.

If the wound was sutured with silk threads, and they are non-absorbable suture material, they must be removed in time using the method described above.

How to properly care for a scar? The main thing is to consult a doctor promptly if any problems arise with the wound.

If the wound opens again, you will need to stitch it again. Unfortunately, bandages alone and waiting for healing will not work in this case.

So, treat the seam twice a day. How to handle it? If you have hydrogen peroxide on hand, that's great.

First, moisten the seam with hydrogen peroxide, waiting until it stops “fizzing.” After this, soak a sterile bandage in peroxide. Using a cotton swab, apply brilliant green directly to the seam.

You won’t be able to feel any severe pain; you may only experience a slight burning sensation, which will soon go away. If the seam is inflamed in some places, lightly cauterize it with 40% medical alcohol.

You cannot wipe the entire seam, as the skin will become very dry, and this will slow down the process of tissue restoration. If you are unable to stop the inflammatory process, be sure to visit a surgeon and consult with him on this issue.

It is forbidden to treat the seam with iodine! Replace the brilliant green with fucorcin, but its disadvantage is that it will be very difficult to wash off after the wound has healed.

Also try not to remove scabs or remove whitish plaque, as this indicates that a new layer of epithelium is being built. When it is damaged, depressions are formed, so even a cosmetic seam can remain noticeable for life.

Reminders

It is not recommended to remove stitches after major surgery yourself.. All of the above instructions are intended only to assist in removing small stitches.

Unless your surgeon tells you otherwise, try not to get your suture cuts wet or soapy.

It is prohibited to remove surgical braces at home. To do this, doctors use a special tool, and your manipulations can only aggravate the injury.

So, if you have the above knowledge and do everything carefully, then you don’t have to worry about possible infection and tissue damage, and the scar will no longer bother you with its pain.

However, it is worth recognizing that seeing a doctor is a safer method of getting rid of stitches.

To fix and hold the edges of the wound in surgery, sutures are used. After 5-7 days, the skin sutures must be removed, that is, the suture material must be removed. This manipulation is carried out as prescribed by a doctor and under his supervision. Suture removal technique is not particularly difficult, but requires nurse attentiveness, dexterity and compliance with all rules of asepsis and antisepsis.

The indication for suture removal is wound healing. In case of an extensive wound, the stitches are first removed one after another, and the rest are removed the next day. The main thing for the nurse is to ensure that there is no suture material left in the patient’s skin.

Suture removal equipment

• Sterile gloves, mask.
• Sterile kidney-shaped tray.
• Auxiliary kidney-shaped tray.
• Tray for waste material.
• Sterile gauze wipes.
• Sponges.
• Anatomical tweezers.
• Sharp sterile surgical scissors.
• Alcohol 70%.
• Iodonate or iodopyrone.
• Cleol or adhesive plaster.
• Containers with disinfectant solution.

Preparing to remove sutures

• The day before, we inform the patient about the upcoming procedure and its necessity. We clearly explain the essence of the procedure, create a positive mood in the patient and a desire for recovery.
• Before the procedure, we check the sterility of materials and instruments.
• We wash our hands and put on sterile gloves.
• We place sterile material and instruments on a sterile tray.
• In the auxiliary tray we place cleol, an adhesive plaster, and, if necessary, a bandage.
• We place the waste material tray close to the place where we will perform the manipulation.

Suture removal technique

• Remove the bandage over the seam and throw it into the prepared tray.
• We examine the wound and count the number of stitches that need to be removed.
• We treat the wound with a solution of iodonate, iodopirone or 70% alcohol using napkins or swabs using blotting movements. The dressing material is changed to sterile as the wound is treated. We carry out the processing twice - first wide, then narrow.
• Using anatomical tweezers, grab the suture knot and slightly lift it.
• After 2-3 mm of thread appears above the surface of the skin white We bring the sharp jaw of the scissors under it and cross it.

• We remove the thread with the knot: carefully, without applying excessive force, pull the seam with tweezers. The thread lying on the surface should not get under the skin.
• Place the extracted thread on a gauze napkin.
• We check the integrity of the wound. If there is a gap, ask the doctor about the number of stitches to be removed (most likely, not all will need to be removed).
• We remove as many stitches as necessary.
• We count the number of stitches removed.
• We check whether the suture material remains in the skin.
• We treat the wound with an antiseptic solution (alcohol, iodonate).
• Place a sterile napkin on the wound.
• We fix the napkin with cleol or adhesive tape, and if necessary, with a bandage.

The final stage

• We immerse the used dressing material and used instruments and gloves in containers with a disinfectant solution.
• We wash and dry our hands.

Correct suture removal technique and compliance with the rules of asepsis avoid complications such as wound infection.

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