My doctor told me my stitches were dissolvable and was lying. What is this bump on my stitch? (Photo)

Question

So first he said they would fall out now i googled bc nylon stitches dissolve under the skin he left the ties exposed on the right side i talked to him and he said you can cut em yourself or come back to miami and ill do it (im in houston) on the r and this bump is there. I cut it but this bump was there before i cut it is it just irrated or is it a infection ive also read about spittin stitches kind of looks like tht. Any advice would be much appreciated

Jane M. Rowley, MD · Answer

It is unlikely your surgeon lied, there is frankly no reason to lie.  Absorbable sutures all absorb at a different rate-some takes months.  Absorbable sutures cause an inflammatory response and some will try to spit out the skin, that is probably what is happening to you.  I would recommend seeing a surgeon (or any competent physician) closer to home.  Things like this happen and are always something to consider especially when having surgery hundreds of miles from home.  Good luck, Jane.

Christopher J. Davidson, MD, FACS · Answer

Thank you for your question and photograph.  Your photograph indicates that you do, in fact, have what is referred to as a spitting stitch.  Most plastic surgeons do use dissolvable suture material.  The area will heal well on its own or the suture may be trimmed if necessary by your doctor. Good luck.

Paul M. Parker, MD, FACS · Answer

It would be unusual to put permanent sutures such as nylon under the skin. Absorbable sutures dissolve at different rates and can sometimes work their way to the surface before they dissolve. If you cannot get back to your surgeon, find someone locally who can help resolve this for you.

Pejman Aflaki, MD · Answer

Hello and thank you for the question. It's hard to say exactly what's going on from this picture. I wonder if you had a drain and this is the opening where your drain was removed. Or, this could be a retained deep suture that is trying to find it's way out. In any case, it's best that you see your plastic surgeon. These heal quickly with no consequences.Best,Pejma Aflaki, M.D.Johns Hopkins-trained plastic surgeon

Daniel Barrett, MD · Answer

Dear 800there is no reason that your plastic surgeon lies to you. Based on your photo, it looks like you have a spitting stitch. It would be the best to consult your plastic surgeon and see whether your stitch need to be removed. This type of wounds heals well within a few weeks.Daniel Barrett, MD, MHA, MS 
Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery  
Member, Am. Society of Plastic Surgery

Bruce K. Smith, MD · Answer

Absorbable sutures are broken down and removed by the body by creating inflammation. In some areas this reaction can be so reactive that it creates a localized area of swelling, tenderness and pus formation. This usually goes away when the foreign body (suture material) is diminished or removed. There may be some residual suture material that can be removed in the office to make this inflammatory area resolve faster. I would recommend you follow-up with your plastic surgeon to evaluate this possibility. Good luck.

Kamran Khoobehi, MD · Answer

Your surgeon has used absorb-able suture since your out of town patient. The redness is the site of suture end that is puled through skin. It is little extreme to call your surgeon a liar after trusting him/her to operate on you. You can visit one of the local plastic surgeon to make sure everything is OK.

Ven Erella, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question. Based on the picture it look like a irritated absorbable suture. I f you already cut the knot please wait and see. Most of the times it settles. If not it can be removed easily in the office. These are not uncommon and I do not see a reason your surgeon to lies to you. Trust is important. If you are not comfortable go and see your PS or any local physician

Brooke R. Seckel, MD, FACS (retired) · Answer

Thank you for your question.  In your photograph it appears you have a small stitch abscess which can be caused by a dissolvable suture placed underneath the skin.  Please see our plastic surgeon in person for an examination and removal of the spitting suture.

My doctor told me my stitches were dissolvable and was lying. What is this bump on my stitch? (Photo)

Answers (9)

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