How Can I Remove Dissolvable Stitches on my Own?

Question

i had my rhinoplast/septoplasty oversees.. it has been over a month the stitches on the septum havent dissolved. when i tug on the knots i feel a weird sensation within the septum. i am trying to get in contact with an ent in canada but its taking too long. its been 2 weeks and no response. how do doctors remove these stiches? can i cut them off because the knots are sticking out alot and are really bugging me.

Nima Shemirani, MD · Answer

Dear butterfly101,

	
		In most cases, if we see sutures inside the nose, then we cut them out and remove them
	
		I cannot advise you to remove them on your own as I do not what kind of sutures were used (sometimes we place permanent sutures in)
	
		If they bother you and cause a lot of pain or discomfort, and you are sure they are dissolvable, you can remove them yourself - and again, I can't guarantee that your results would be affected (an online disclaimer)
	
		If you were my client and you lived away from my office, I would say it would be OK to remove them


	Best regards,

	Nima Shemirani

Andrea Marando, MD · Answer

Hello. Usually dissolvable suture used on the septum tend to dissolve within the first month; if this has not happened yet, you could try for a few days to gently clean your nostrils and wet the suture knot with sterile saline, to help the suture to go.

	Should this not be successful, I would advice to go and see your GP or your practice nurse and she will gently cut it. I would not recommend to do it yourself.

	Best of luck

	Andrea Marando

How Can I Remove Dissolvable Stitches on my Own?

Answers (2)