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Spitting Stitch - Do I Have An Infection?

asked 1 year ago by slinky81 in sheffield
Latest answer by Sugene Kim, MD
Question viewed 3,074 times
Tags: infection, medical tourism, necrosis

My Scar Round my Nipple Has a Hole with a Plastic Stitch Coming from It Its Weeping and There is Bits of Blood Coming from It. im 2 and half months post surgery any help would be much appreciated i had the surgery done abroad so i cant just go see my surgeon iv posted pics also. thank you in advance im so scared of infection or necrosis etc.

14 answers to Spitting Stitch - Do I Have An Infection?

+2

Problem After Breast Augmentation Abroad

I can be scary when you have a problem and feel like there is nobody to see that can help you. In your case, from the photos it seems that you are having a simple stitch reaction. This is sometimes called a stitch abcess or a spitting stitch. If the small piece of stitch in the open area is removed the wound will heal without any further treatment, This is not an infection. The bigger point to be made is the importance of having your surgeon nearby for these type of questions. Today... more
Adam Rubinstein, MD

Miami Plastic Surgeon

dr-rubinstein.com

+2

Do I have an Infection After My Breast Augmentation?

Based on the photographs, it looks like a suture abscess. This occurs when the suture causes local inflammation and irritation and comes through the skin before it dissolves (if it is a dissolvable suture). From the photograph it does not look like you have an infection in your breast. These suture abscesses heal on their own. I would recommend using triple antibiotic ointment and if it is draining, to cover it with a gauze to keep your clothes from getting stained. Hope that... more
Babak Dadvand, MD

Los Angeles Plastic Surgeon
+1

Stitch spitting

It is not uncommon to have "stitch spitting."  You have a stitch abscess.  It is a localized reaction to the stitch as it comes out of your skin.  I would put some topical antibiotics (neosporin, triple antibiotics) on the affected area.  It should clear up pretty soon.  If it doesn't, you can go see a plastic surgeon in your area.  She/he will be able to address that.  
Sugene Kim, MD

Houston Plastic Surgeon
+1

Spitting suture is very common.

Thank you for your photos. It appears that you are having issues with a "spitting" stitch. The sutures which are underneath the skin are common absorbable. This means that through an inflammatory process, the suture will be dissolved over a period of weeks to months. In some instances, this inflammatory process to dissolve the suture causes the overlying skin to breakdown and the suture pops through. The suture itself can be clipped and this usually resolves the situation. I... more
David Bogue, MD

Boca Raton Plastic Surgeon
+1

Spitting of Suture after Surgery

What you have is very common. The absorbable suture under the skin occasionally causes a local reaction as it's being dissolved and may spit out.  If any redness, pain, or drainage persists after several days, see your plastic surgeon.
Michael A. Jazayeri, MD

Santa Ana Plastic Surgeon
+1

Breast infection

This is not a breast infection.what you are experiencing is the spitting of sutures.This is not uncommon.the buried sutures work there way to the surface and open up the incision.Just put a little antibacterial ointment on it.
Robert Brueck, MD

Fort Myers Plastic Surgeon
+1

Not a real infection

You have a "spitting stitch" and the offending suture needs to be removed.  After the foreign substance (the suture) is removed, the wound will heal on it's own.  Really, any surgeon should be able to do this for you. Lisa Lynn Sowder, M.D.
Lisa L. Sowder, MD

Seattle Plastic Surgeon
+1

Breast Implants and infections

From your photos it appears that you may have a small suture abscess. (A localized infection which often occurs at the area of an internal suture knot)  You should see your PS and have it examined and treated and necessary.
Delio Ortegon, MD

San Antonio Plastic Surgeon
+1

Medical Tourism: problem with getting answers for open draining wound due to permanent versus absorbable stitch?

This is one of the problems with medical tourism. It is difficult getting answers for open draining wound. First you need to contact your surgeon and fine out if this is due to permanent versus absorbable sutures?
Otto Joseph Placik, MD

Chicago Plastic Surgeon
+1

Looks like a minor wound opening due to the stiche abcess

This is a minor issue and do not worry about it. The only concern is the scar after the wounds heals and you can apply Mederma or silicone gel to improve after it healed.
Kamran Khoobehi, MD

New Orleans Plastic Surgeon
+1

Downside of Medical Tourism - WHO can you go to with complications?

Regarding: "Do I Have An Infection? My Scar Round my Nipple Has a Hole with a Plastic Stitch Coming from It Its Weeping and There is Bits of Blood Coming from It. im 2 and half months post surgery any help would be much appreciated i had the surgery done abroad so i cant just go see my surgeon iv posted pics also. thank you in advance im so scared of infection or necrosis etc" It looks like your body is trying to expel a stitch. Your family practice doctor and certainly any... more
Peter A. Aldea, MD

Memphis Plastic Surgeon
+1

Drainage after breast augmentation

I agree that this looks more like a suture coming through the skin and less like an infection around the breast implant. Make sure your plastic surgeon has a chance to see you soon to make sure it heals properly.
Karol A. Gutowski, MD

Chicago Plastic Surgeon
+1

Stitch Abscess after Breast Augmentation

It appears that you have a stitch abscess or infection resulting from a deep stitch which has become more superficial and subsequently infected.   I would recommend  evaluation by a plastic surgeon to remove this exposed suture material and clean the wound, such that your infection does not progress.
Paul S. Gill, MD

Houston Plastic Surgeon

www.drpaulgill.com

+1

Stitch abscess

More than likely you have a stitch absces with the suture you pulled out causing theproblem. You should probaly see a local plastic surgeon to make sure everything is okay.
Steven Wallach, MD

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

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