I have a small spot on my scar that is still spitting stitches/disolvable staples 7 mths out. I've had multiple ones removed and the spot is sore/tender. A stitch that was shaped like a loop and attached to some part inside me came out the top of the hole but isnt sliding out it is wrapped around a muscle or chunk of tissue. it almost looks like a blister with a stitch looped through it. I have an appt with my surgeon tomorrow so he can check. Is this rare to still have spitting this late?
Answer: Suture "spitting" 7 months after tummy tuck--remove it and all will be fine.
If only dissolving sutures are used, by 7 months they would all be long gone--any spots like this would be due to an ingrown hair or infected cyst, both of which can occur along scars.
However, many plastic surgeons (myself included) use permanent sutures as part of the muscle plication. Braided sutures can become infected somewhat more easily than monofilament sutures, but braided sutures can allow tissue ingrowth for a more durable internal scar. Thus, there is no right or wrong, only surgeon preference based on individual patient needs and tissue characteristics. But this problem is why I prefer monofilament permanent sutures for the muscle repair; when stitch 'spitting" occurs, it is almost always with braided permanent sutures. The same even applies to dissolving skin stitches--braided sutures have a much higher likelihood for "suture reaction" (actually stitch abscess) than monofilament.
Unfortunately, once one "permanent" (non-dissolving) suture becomes contaminated by bacteria, others nearby can also have the same issue, and neither the bacteria nor your body "wins" the battle against each other until the suture is removed. Sometimes the offending suture is removed and all is well until an adjacent suture becomes a "new" problem. The treatment is the same--removal eliminates the source, and your body quickly heals the area, usually with little additional scarring. But until it is removed, the contaminated stitch can indeed take several months to cause a tract to the skin surface
The rest of your suture line looks great, and I see no other areas of redness or irritation similar to the one in the center just above your pubic area. Once the stitch is completely removed (either no or local anesthesia), the problem is usually solved without any additional antibiotic therapy, though this may be something your surgeon will add if needed. It should heal in several weeks either way, and the redness and blister-like swelling will resolve. See your surgeon as planned and be reassured. Best wishes!
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Answer: Suture "spitting" 7 months after tummy tuck--remove it and all will be fine.
If only dissolving sutures are used, by 7 months they would all be long gone--any spots like this would be due to an ingrown hair or infected cyst, both of which can occur along scars.
However, many plastic surgeons (myself included) use permanent sutures as part of the muscle plication. Braided sutures can become infected somewhat more easily than monofilament sutures, but braided sutures can allow tissue ingrowth for a more durable internal scar. Thus, there is no right or wrong, only surgeon preference based on individual patient needs and tissue characteristics. But this problem is why I prefer monofilament permanent sutures for the muscle repair; when stitch 'spitting" occurs, it is almost always with braided permanent sutures. The same even applies to dissolving skin stitches--braided sutures have a much higher likelihood for "suture reaction" (actually stitch abscess) than monofilament.
Unfortunately, once one "permanent" (non-dissolving) suture becomes contaminated by bacteria, others nearby can also have the same issue, and neither the bacteria nor your body "wins" the battle against each other until the suture is removed. Sometimes the offending suture is removed and all is well until an adjacent suture becomes a "new" problem. The treatment is the same--removal eliminates the source, and your body quickly heals the area, usually with little additional scarring. But until it is removed, the contaminated stitch can indeed take several months to cause a tract to the skin surface
The rest of your suture line looks great, and I see no other areas of redness or irritation similar to the one in the center just above your pubic area. Once the stitch is completely removed (either no or local anesthesia), the problem is usually solved without any additional antibiotic therapy, though this may be something your surgeon will add if needed. It should heal in several weeks either way, and the redness and blister-like swelling will resolve. See your surgeon as planned and be reassured. Best wishes!
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December 5, 2011
Answer: Spitting suture
What you are describing is a finding that can happen with non-dissolving sutures. Because it is located in the midline, I suspect that the suture you are seeing is the one used to plicate (repair) your rectus diastaisis. Once these sutures are involved with bacteria (colonized) the issue won't typically resolve until the definitive suture is removed. Regardless of how the suture became colonized, your experiencing an easily correctable issue. Best of luck.
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December 5, 2011
Answer: Spitting suture
What you are describing is a finding that can happen with non-dissolving sutures. Because it is located in the midline, I suspect that the suture you are seeing is the one used to plicate (repair) your rectus diastaisis. Once these sutures are involved with bacteria (colonized) the issue won't typically resolve until the definitive suture is removed. Regardless of how the suture became colonized, your experiencing an easily correctable issue. Best of luck.
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Answer: Removing the suture will help! It’s not unusual for absorbable sutures to work their way to the surface of the wound.When this happens, they frequently develop localized infection around the suture.This is known as a stitch abscess and is easily treated with local wound care.This requires removal of the suture and dressing changes. In some cases, antibiotics may be necessary as well.It’s important that you consult your plastic surgeon. Your surgeon should be able to formulate a treatment plan that addresses your concerns.Unfortunately, this problem can still occur several months after surgery.
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Answer: Removing the suture will help! It’s not unusual for absorbable sutures to work their way to the surface of the wound.When this happens, they frequently develop localized infection around the suture.This is known as a stitch abscess and is easily treated with local wound care.This requires removal of the suture and dressing changes. In some cases, antibiotics may be necessary as well.It’s important that you consult your plastic surgeon. Your surgeon should be able to formulate a treatment plan that addresses your concerns.Unfortunately, this problem can still occur several months after surgery.
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January 21, 2019
Answer: Very Common Problem A tummy tuck procedure places many sutures in at various level and many of them dissolve As they melt away they may cause a reaction the suture area open up and discharge the suture. The will heal the area.
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January 21, 2019
Answer: Very Common Problem A tummy tuck procedure places many sutures in at various level and many of them dissolve As they melt away they may cause a reaction the suture area open up and discharge the suture. The will heal the area.
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August 11, 2015
Answer: Sutures after abdominoplasty
sutures can be permanent or absorb able either way.. if they continues to cause a problem they should be removed
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August 11, 2015
Answer: Sutures after abdominoplasty
sutures can be permanent or absorb able either way.. if they continues to cause a problem they should be removed
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