Skin in Nose Near Stitches on Septum Red and Raw 13 Days Post-op, Normal? (photo)

Question

I had revision rhinoplasty (removed old deviated goretex implant w/ new one) 12 days ago via close rhinoplasty. The area near the sutures on the columnella/septum is still red and raw. It hurts when I clean it with sterilised water and q-tip. Is this an infection? Should I stop cleaning my nose with a q-tip? I was told to have the stitched removed 14 days post op. Would this help to calm the area down?

Jonathan Kulbersh, MD · Answer

It is not abnormal to have some minor redness and tenderness on your suture line 13 days after surgery. This will resolve over time. If you have any of the following symptoms near the incision line, consult your surgeon immediately, as one or more of them may be signs of an infection:

	  1) Warmth 

	2) Puss 

	3) Excessive pain and swelling  

	If you are not experiencing any of these side effects, it is not likely the area is infected. In general, the suture area will feel a bit tender when you are cleaning it. Be sure you are gentle, as you do not want to cause additional irritation. Keeping the area clean is a good idea, and you should consult your post-operative instructions to determine how long this should persist. Removing the stitches may help, and your surgeon would be the best source of advice at this time, as they know the details of your procedure. I hope this helps, and good luck with the rest of your recovery.

David W. Kim, MD · Answer

The absorbable suture(s) which span the columellar base often creates some temporary irritation and redness. It usually resolves within a week or two post-operatively. If the symptoms progress, you may need to be treated to prevent or eliminate infection. In my practice, that usually means applying antibiotic ointment to the affected area regularly (mupirocin), resuming oral antibiotics, and applying warm compresses to the area several times a day. While removing the suture may help, it may not be a good idea if the suture needs to remain for a while to provide support to the tip of the nose (this depends on the specifics of your surgery). Rarely the infection will progress to a small fluid collection or abscess which needs to be incised and drained. I would definitely approach this with your surgeon.

Kenneth Hughes, MD · Answer

If there is concern for infection, please see your surgeon.

	 

	 

	 

	 

	Kenneth Hughes, MD Los Angeles, CA

Steven Wallach, MD · Answer

At 12 days after rhinoplasty surgery, the incisions will be red.  Redness that causes fever or severe pain can represent an infection and in that situation you are best to see your surgeon.

Randy J. Buckspan, MD (retired) · Answer

After nose surgery, you can expect the scar to be pink for a few weeks. If the scar is tender and red, then there may be an infection. Most of these infections occur around the stitches, and removing them might solve the problem. You need to have your surgeon see you as soon as possible.

Skin in Nose Near Stitches on Septum Red and Raw 13 Days Post-op, Normal? (photo)

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