Will removing the barbed threads cause tissue damage?

Can you tell me something about potential tissue damage in the procedure of taking out the barbed threads?

2 answers to “Will removing the barbed threads...”

A: It is a contest between your tissues and the thread

Otto Joseph Placik, MD

This is my opinion based on my experienceand and not intended to be a definitive treatise on the subject, No one know for sure. When the threads are pulled out it is essentially a tug of war between the thread and the involved tissues and you never know who is going to win. In many instances, the tissue wins... more

A: No they won't usually

David Hansen, MD

Barbed sutures won't cause significant or permanent tissue damage when removed but don't remove them unless you absolutely have to such as they moved or are poking the skin.  Dimpling can be fixed without removing them. Sometimes all you need is a few more placed strategically to give the desired effect... more

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