Non Dissolving Stitch, Now a Knot on the Eyebrow, What Should I Do?

Hi there,

Occasionally, surgeons will choose to use internal sutures during blepharoplasty.  Reasons for the sutures may include internal brow supporting sutures, internal canthal tightening sutures, and orbicularis muscle tightening sutures in lower blepharoplasty.  All these scenarios would involve having the suture pass into the orbital rim along the upper outer section of the orbit.

These sutures can cause focal local swelling and/or tenderness in the first few months after surgery.  As long as there are no signs of increased swellng or redness, I would not be worried about risk of infection.    Also, it is not uncommon for there to be asymmetry in the healing process, and so swelling/irritation on one side is a can certainly happen.

I would be patient and let things heal more.  Continue to have an open dialogue with your surgeon about this issue. He or she may need to intervene if many months go by and you still have a little swelling or tenderness. Your surgeon may at that time decide that a minor procedure to excise the offending suture or to inject an antinflammatory medication may be an option.

Best wishes to you

Hi.  The first thing you have to figure out is why there is a stitch in the eyebrow after Blepharoplasty.  It probably indicates that the surgeon probably fixated your eyebrow.  If he is afraid to remove it , it is probably because he thinks the brow will fall.  Given that, you have to have a frank discussion with him and figure out the risks and benefits of removing the suture.  How much does it bother you?  Would you accept the risk of a brow droop with removal?  Would you undergo a revision if needed?  Good luck.