Interior Sutures for a Dropping Eyelid Repair- When Should These Dissolve?

Absorbable sutures can last can dissolve in a few weeks to a few months depending on the suture size, material and location. You can ask your surgeon about which specific sutures were used in your case.

The time frame for a suture to dissolve very much depends on the suture material used.  Only your surgeon will know what suture was used.  Products like PDS and vicryl take about 3 months to completely break down and disappear.  I personally like to use a non dissolving suture for the internal supporting suture for the anterior levator aponeurosis resection ptosis surgery.  The rationale is that it is possible for these tissues to give or slide even late after surgery.  Studies have shown that the timing of this is about when one would expect the dissolvable sutures to break down.  Theoretically, surgery should stimulate enough scar tissue to keep the lid in its new position.  Think of the non dissolving internal suture as a belt and suspenders type approach.  Even then late failures can occur.  I think the biggest issue here is that the eyelid has to heal even as it is being opened and closed hundreds of times per day.  Hope this information is helpful.

I fyou had absorbable sutures plaed internally for ptosis repair, it usually hold strength for several weeks depending upon the suture and then dissolves over a few months.