Hi. My doctor says that I might need one permanent suture to bring my nasal cartilages together. But I heard that the suture is like a timed bomb that could be easily infected, and I have to have another operation to remove it once it is infected. Is that true? Are there ways to avoid using the permeant sutures? Thanks!
March 15, 2016
Answer: Permenent sutures in rhinoplasty Dear lukeyu,Occasionally we use permanent sutures in the nose if we need long lasting supportThe risk of infection is very low and often not an issueThe reason we use them is that their benefits outweigh their risksBest,Dr. Nima
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March 15, 2016
Answer: Permenent sutures in rhinoplasty Dear lukeyu,Occasionally we use permanent sutures in the nose if we need long lasting supportThe risk of infection is very low and often not an issueThe reason we use them is that their benefits outweigh their risksBest,Dr. Nima
Helpful
March 15, 2016
Answer: Permanent suture and risk of infection Choosing to use permanent versus absorbable (self-dissolving) suture is about the balance between strength and long-term risk (infection). Permanent sutures are the strongest and most stable. However, since the body can't break it down over time, there is a long-term possibility of infection. Absorbable suture goes away with time, so it has a lower risk of infection. The downside of absorbable suture is that it may break down before the tissue has healed in position. The good thing is that all suture has been engineered to be very reliable. Each surgeon makes their own choice regarding which suture works best for their technique to produce their best results. Many surgeons use permanent suture with extremely low rates of infection. Infected suture may be removed without surgery, but it depends on the situation. Also, using absorbable suture does not guarantee that you'll be infection free. Thankfully the rates of infection are low across the board. Trust me, avoiding infections is a priority for your surgeon. I encourage you to speak with your surgeon about your concerns before you go to the operating room. More importantly, keep in contact with your surgeon after surgery. If any issues arise, they'll be the best doctor to help you resolve it safely.
Helpful
March 15, 2016
Answer: Permanent suture and risk of infection Choosing to use permanent versus absorbable (self-dissolving) suture is about the balance between strength and long-term risk (infection). Permanent sutures are the strongest and most stable. However, since the body can't break it down over time, there is a long-term possibility of infection. Absorbable suture goes away with time, so it has a lower risk of infection. The downside of absorbable suture is that it may break down before the tissue has healed in position. The good thing is that all suture has been engineered to be very reliable. Each surgeon makes their own choice regarding which suture works best for their technique to produce their best results. Many surgeons use permanent suture with extremely low rates of infection. Infected suture may be removed without surgery, but it depends on the situation. Also, using absorbable suture does not guarantee that you'll be infection free. Thankfully the rates of infection are low across the board. Trust me, avoiding infections is a priority for your surgeon. I encourage you to speak with your surgeon about your concerns before you go to the operating room. More importantly, keep in contact with your surgeon after surgery. If any issues arise, they'll be the best doctor to help you resolve it safely.
Helpful
