I'm 2.5 weeks post op Lift with implants. One of the strips covering my vertical incision came off and I noticed a hole with a stitch sticking straight out. It's become painful and is leaking yellow fluid and blood. My surgeon told me to leave it and just keep it clean and covered. However the stitch keeps pulling when I move and it seems to be making the hole worse. Is it safe to leave a spitting stitch? Should I clip the end myself? Is this an abscessed suture with possible infection?
May 11, 2017
Answer: Spitting stitches Stitches that poke out or work themselves out of the wound are not uncommon and usually not a cause for concern. They can certainly be annoying and painful, and leaving them alone or covered with gauze will hardly help that! There may be a small amount of pus (stitch abscess) but usually this is just limited to the problem stitch itself, and not indicative of an overall infection. The offending stitch (often a knot, or the end of a monofilament stitch, which tend to be more rigid) is grabbed with forceps, and removed, or in the case of a continuous running stitch, pulled and trimmed close to the skin. The wound is cleansed and a bandage applied, and perhaps some topical antibiotic cream used. Almost never are oral antibiotics necessary. Make an appointment to have your surgeon take care of it.
Helpful 3 people found this helpful
May 11, 2017
Answer: Spitting stitches Stitches that poke out or work themselves out of the wound are not uncommon and usually not a cause for concern. They can certainly be annoying and painful, and leaving them alone or covered with gauze will hardly help that! There may be a small amount of pus (stitch abscess) but usually this is just limited to the problem stitch itself, and not indicative of an overall infection. The offending stitch (often a knot, or the end of a monofilament stitch, which tend to be more rigid) is grabbed with forceps, and removed, or in the case of a continuous running stitch, pulled and trimmed close to the skin. The wound is cleansed and a bandage applied, and perhaps some topical antibiotic cream used. Almost never are oral antibiotics necessary. Make an appointment to have your surgeon take care of it.
Helpful 3 people found this helpful
May 11, 2017
Answer: Contact your doctor Contact your surgeons office and schedule a follow to have this examined in person. The office staff is your best resource at this point. Best wishes.
Helpful
May 11, 2017
Answer: Contact your doctor Contact your surgeons office and schedule a follow to have this examined in person. The office staff is your best resource at this point. Best wishes.
Helpful
