What happens if a stitch is left in my nose after rhinoplasty?

Question

I was cleaning my nose and thought it was a price of dried blood because I had just had the cast removed and I tried to pull it but it hurt very bad and found out it was a stitch I can't take it out cause it hurts what should I do?

George Bitar, MD · Answer

I encourage you simply to discuss your concern with operative surgeon.  As my colleagues have suggested, it is not uncommon to place dissolvable sutures within the nose during a rhinoplasty, but only your doctor knows for sure.  Best wishes for an easy recovery!

Ross A. Clevens, MD, FACS · Answer

Thank you for your question. Patients may find sutures remaining in their nose after surgery. The sutures will most likely dissolve over the coming weeks or months. You should feel free to discuss with your board certified facial plastic surgeon as well.
Best wishes,

Philip Solomon, MD, FRCS · Answer

Its not uncommon to have a stitches left in the nose after rhinoplasty surgery.  Most sutures dissolve over weeks to months.  PDS sutures dissolve over months.  In certain situations longer lasting  sutures are used to help maintain support between the nasal tip structures and the anterior nasal  septum.

Lucie Capek, MD · Answer

It is highly likely that the stitch you describe will dissolve on its own. In all types of rhinoplasty, stitches are placed inside the nose and your body gradually breaks them down. They are sometimes caked in dry blood and gentle cleaning is appropriate to do. If you had an open rhinoplasty, you may have stitches on the outside that your doctor would typically remove at the time of splint removal. If you think this may be case, call your surgeon to have the stitch removed.

Dan Hatef, MD · Answer

Thanks for your question Amarix.  Call your surgeon, as he will want to know about it and be able to remove it if it's not an absorbable suture.  But it may be absorbable and go away on its' own.  Good luck.

Robert S. Schmidt, MD · Answer

Thanks for your question. We routinely place a lot of stitches inside your nose when you have a rhinoplasty. Almost always they are dissolvable, but they will tend to collect blood and debris while they are in place. So it's important to try to clean that stuff off. Don't try to pull the stitch out if it hurts- it means it's not ready. Just try to clean it as you've been instructed. Eventually it will fall out. Otherwise, let your surgeon know and they can probably take care of it for you. Good luck!

Ian MacArthur, MD, FRCSC · Answer

Thanks for your question. In rhinoplasty surgery it is very normal to use dissolving sutures inside the nose that will break down over time and do not need to be removed. From your description it sounds like you found one of these sutures that have not yet dissolved. I suggest you schedule a follow-up appointment with your rhinoplasty surgeon so they can examine you and make sure your recovery is going smoothly. Take care.

What happens if a stitch is left in my nose after rhinoplasty?

Answers (7)

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