Green stitches after surgery. What is this? (Photo)

Question

I have green stitches hanging out my side will this dissolve i really wish my surgeon told me everything i needes to know with care especially being an out of state patient seeing other surgeons are getting expensive. Also im not sure if this is an infection or if my stitches are spitting please help.

Richard Greco, MD · Answer

If you decide to have surgery out of state, and even more difficult - out of country - One should have a local physician/surgeon whom is willing to help you deal with local problems.  Your surgeon should help arrange this.  If they can't, they do not do enough out of state patients in an excellent way.Call, Text photos to your surgeon to get answers.  Likely an absorb able  that one clips 2 weeks after surgery to avoid a knot.

Dana Goldberg, MD · Answer

Although your surgeon is obviously the best resource for you, to me the suture coming out the end of your incision looks like a Maxon suture. It is dissolvable, but it will take several months, and in that time, your skin will develop a permanent scar where the suture exits the skin. I suggest having someone clip the suture at the skin's surface soon. If you can touch base with your surgeon before you do this, that's better. The hole under you belly button may be due to pressure on the skin from above, accidental injury of skin during surgery, or deep suture infection. That is tougher to evaluate from a photo alone. I recommend calling your surgeon's office and sending photos to them as well. The cost of surgery is meant to include follow up care. Even if you are out of town, you deserve to have your surgeon as your  primary resource. Best wishes.

Nelson Castillo, MD · Answer

Thank you for sharing your question and photographs and I am sorry to hear of your recovery difficulties.  Unfortunately only your surgeon can answer your questions regarding your green stitch.  It is most likely not absorbable and will need to be removed but I am not sure as to why it was placed.  As for your incision you appear to have some mild superficial separation of the skin which should heal with local wound care.  Contact your surgeon with your photographs for the best advice.

Emily J. Kirby, MD · Answer

It is best to ask your board certified plastic surgeon who did your surgery. I do not tie knots in suture like that. It appears to be placed there specifically, perhaps to be removed at a later date?  This is not what a spitting suture looks like. It is best to talk with your surgeon - even a phone call may set your mind to rest. Best of luck to you!

Marc J. Salzman, MD, FACS (retired) · Answer

I am sorry to hear of your difficulties with healing. I have never seen a suture placed in such a fashion as what is seen in your photograph. My assumption would be that it is prolene which is poly propylene and it is sutured just under the skin. These sutures need to be removed as they do not dissolve. It does appear that you're having some wound healing issues as well and probably would be best to be seen by your plastic surgeon to make recommendations for proper wound healing. Best of luck.

Green stitches after surgery. What is this? (Photo)

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