Is there a difference in scarring using 1 week fast dissolving sutures vs. non-dissolvable to close the skin?

Question

Is there a difference in scarring and in general results when the surgeon uses fast acting 1 week dissolvable skin sutures vs using non-dissolvable sutures to close the wound that the surgeon needs to take out a week post op?

Hugo Higa, MD · Answer

Franny,I have found that using non-dissolvable sutures tend to a bit stronger than the dissolvable type.  If the wound is not kept moist with ointments, the dissolvable type may break before the week is up.  Scarring is about the same with both as long as each is completely removed. You could get scarring from residual suture left in the skin.

Chase Lay, MD · Answer

Just stick with something that can be not only taken out on a schedule but also examined on a schedule.  Everyone (patients and surgeons alike) are trying to game the healing process.  Trying to make genetics and healing predictable.  Just stop.Fast dissolving sutures require inflammation to dissolve them.  That's not good. Sometimes dissolvable sutures take over a week to dissolve that's not good.Sometimes dissolvable sutures take only 3-4 days to dissolve, and that's not good.Just stick with Prolene or maybe Ethilon nylon sutures (or silk) and take them out around 7 days, maybe 6.That's it.Chase Lay MDAsian Eyelid Surgery Specialist

Paul B. Johnson, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question.  In general, non-absorbable sutures tend to cause less of a scar.  An in-person consultation with a board-certified oculoplastic surgeon can help provide more information.

Mark Ginsburg, DO · Answer

Generally nondissolvable sutures will leave a nice scar as the dissolvable sutures do so by inciting the body's inflammatory response to dissolve, the less inflammatory reaction the better the scar.

Is there a difference in scarring using 1 week fast dissolving sutures vs. non-dissolvable to close the skin?

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