Ideal Stitches Removal Time?

Question

Recently I met an accident and got hurt on my face. I have 5 stitches above my eye and 3 below. Doctor says he will remove them after 10 days. But I fear keeping them for such a long time would leave a permanent scar. What should I do? Is there any way to prevent scarring? Seriously, I don't want to make my face look ugly with those railroad marks. My age is 19.

Michael I. Echavez, MD · Answer

The timing of suture removal depends on several things, including the area where the suture is placed, the amount of tension on the wound and the type of suture that is used. Usually, on the face, most sutures can be removed after about 5-7 days. It's difficult to comment on your specific case without knowing more details about the nature of your wound and how it was repaired. You should speak with your doctor to discuss any possibility of removing them sooner. It can take several months and up to a year to see the final of your repair.

Raffy Karamanoukian, MD, FACS · Answer

The ideal time to remove sutures depends on the tension on the wound, the location of the sutures, and the type of sutures. I would defer this decision to the expertise of your surgeon. Raffy Karamanoukian, Los Angeles

Stephen Weber MD, FACS · Answer

Facial sutures are typically removed at 7 days or sooner. The risk, as you correctly suggested, is "track" marks created by the sutures if left in longer than 7 days. I would address your question to your surgeon. There might be some specific reason why your surgeon recommended leaving your sutures in longer than 7 days that we are not privy to. I hope this information is helpful.Stephen Weber MD, FACSWeber Facial Plastic Surgery

Robert S. Backstein, MD · Answer

Stitch removal timing is a very common question after minor surgery. The following is a guideline: Facial and neck sutures are removed at around 7 days; other areas at 10-14 days. This is just a guideline and each case must be looked at individually. For example, if larger lesions are removed from the skin, a larger defect is temporarily created during surgery so the tightness or “tension” on the stitch closure is greater. As such, removing the sutures somewhat later than the guidelines above might be called for to ensure that the wound doesn’t separate and open if the stitches are taken out too soon. Also, procedures done on areas with a lot of movement such as around the elbow or knee might also be left in longer, again to avoid wound opening. In these cases, letting the incision heal more thoroughly prior to stitch removal might be called for.

James Motlagh, MD · Answer

What is the ideal time to remove stitches? Answer: that all depends on several factors:  Location -- face -- usually 5-7 days. Hands-- 7-14 days. Other areas-- 7-21 days. 

	 Amount of skin tension, smoking, patient age, use of catabolic steroids, poor medical condition, infection, previous radiation all determine how long sutures stay in place

Ideal Stitches Removal Time?

Answers (5)