Left over suture 4 months post-op Asian blepharoplasty (Photo)

Question

Surgery was October 2015, sutures removed 2weeks post-op. Then, after daily massages, 2 sutures in the left fold surfaced as the swelling went down. I had these "removed" a week later. Since then, I still feel a bump on the left eyelid but thought it was scar tissue. 2-16-16 one suture that was supposedly removed surfaced again...and I can pull it with fine tweezers. Its still knotted. They say its normal, permanent to "heal the folds nicely" but come if I want it removed.

Charles S. Lee, MD, FACS · Answer

In either case, it is better to have it removed since it serves no purpose at this point and leaving it in place can cause a small hole where the suture currently resides.

Goretti Ho Taghva, MD, FACS · Answer

Thank you for your question and photos.  You should have the sutures removed by your surgeon sooner rather than later. I do not recommend that you remove it yourself because you may not be able to remove it in its entirety.  At this point, scar tissue should have formed and the crease should be intact even without the anchoring sutures. You would also benefit from steroid injection to the slightly hypertrophic scar that has formed on your medial eyelid. Best wishes.

James R. Gordon, MD, FACS, FAAO · Answer

Thank you for sharing your question and photos. Those exposed sutures need to be removed. Your skin looks inflamed and should be evaluated for possible infection by your surgeon. Good luck.

Hugo Higa, MD · Answer

Generally, any exposed sutures should be removed since bacteria can travel along the stitch into the skin, causing an infection.  While it's possible you may lose your crease it has been over 4 months since surgery which has allowed a scar to form (a good thing).  It's important to follow up with your doctor and not to remove the stitch by yourself.  Cheers

Eric In Choe, MD · Answer

It looks like a fixation suture that is exposed. This should be removed as this can potentially cause an infection in the future. The "bump" will improve in quality over time.

Left over suture 4 months post-op Asian blepharoplasty (Photo)

Answers (5)