Am I prone to spitting stitches? (Photo)

Question

I had my surgery on June 6th. Everything has been healing well and I feel great, but last night I found all these trouble areas. If they are spitting stitches is this going to keep happening throughout my recovery? My surgeon's office is closed today so I'm hoping I can get in tomorrow. How should I treat this until tomorrow? And should I lay off my silicone sheeting? Thank you so much in advance.

Austin Hayes, MD · Answer

It's difficult to say whether you are particularly prone to spitting sutures. Some sutures are more likely to spit. The treatment is pretty straightforward. Your surgeon will remove the suture and recommend washing the area, covering with ointment, and applying a Band-Aid. The area usually heals in just a couple of days. Congratulations on your recent surgery.

Frank Agullo, MD · Answer

Some patients are more prone than others for spitting stitches. Absorbable sutures are supposed to be broken down by your body, but sometimes the body ends up kicking them out. Suture removal and topical antibiotic will usually resolve the situation.

Farbod Esmailian, MD · Answer

What you are seeing looks certainly to be "spitting" sutures.  This is not uncommon, but certain patients are more likely to have this happen and certain sutures tend to cause this more often than others.As long as the sutures are absorbable, they will dissolve and the area will heal it self.  At times when the suture can be visualized, then I tend to remove them in the office to help the area along.Hope that helps.

Dallas Buchanan, MD · Answer

Thank you for your pictures and questions. It does appear that you have some areas of breakdown over sutures and this can be common. Nothing to be overly worried about as this usually resolves on its own over time. Give your surgeon a call when the office is open and schedule a time to be seen so that you can be evaluated and a plan can be made.Best of luck!

Daniel Barrett, MD · Answer

Dear Projectpaige,based on your photos, it does look like spitting stitches. I can sometimes occur after the surgery and in most cases it heals well. I would suggest you to consult your plastic surgeon and until then, keep your wound clean and covered.Daniel Barrett, MD, MHA, MS 
Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery  
Member, Am. Society of Plastic Surgery

Asaf Yalif, MD, FACS · Answer

It does appear that you are spitting some stitches. This is not uncommon and will usually resolve on its own after some time. That being said I would definitely go in for an in person exam with your surgeon to make sure there is no suture material that requires removal.

Curtis Wong, MD · Answer

in my experience, are more related to surgeon's technique rather than the patient physiology.  Some of us are simply better at keeping the knot deep and buried whereas others are not, usually the fastest surgeons have this problem.  But this is a generalization and based on observation.  On rare occasions, patients may be sensitive to suture materials, but if true, then all the sutures should spit and this is not the case in most people.  Do good wound care and it will heal well.  And find out what material was used so you can at least avoid it in the future.

Shaun Parson, MD · Answer

Thanks so much for your question. I'm sorry you're having any difficulties at this point. Some people definitely are more likely to spit sutures. It's their body's reaction to the dissolvable sutures material. You are in that time window when that type of thing may happen. If that does occur and you have a little opening I would recommend doing two things. First, it's important to get any visible suture material out of the area. Once it's gone the body won't react to it any longer. And a little opening will close very quickly. Second, if there's any redness or small irritation I do put my patients back on anabiotic's if you're currently not on anabiotic's. I'm sure you'll have a great result just give things a little more time.

Ven Erella, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question. Based on the picture it is spitting of sutures. They can be cleaned in the office if needed. Please talk to your PS office for evaluation.

Steven Wallach, MD · Answer

Often local wound care is all that is needed once the sutures have spit. If there are suture remnants, then they need to be removed as well. Best to allow your surgeon to do so.

Am I prone to spitting stitches? (Photo)

Answers (10)

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