Possible stitch left in upper outer eyelid

Question

I had upper and lower bleph 4 1/2 weeks ago and the scars seemed to be fine on my right eye but my left upper corner of my eyelid has a lump like scar tissue. It hurts to touch it, is constantly red and the stitches had basically grown into my skin by the time they were removed. Apparently when my PS does eyes he uses laser cutting which involves stitches left in longer. When the MA took them out it hurt like hell and bled. That was at 13 days post op. Now I am concerned part of a stitch is left

John J. Martin, Jr., MD · Answer

Were the stitches dissolvable? If so it will eventually dissolve.  A nodule can be from a suture, and can be from a buried suture if those were also used.  It can also just be a type of cyst, or an inflammatory nodule.  May need to be either excised or injected.  Sometimes it hurts to remove sutures.

Suzanne Kim Doud Galli, MD, PhD, FACS · Answer

your best option would be to have your surgeon evaluate your scar. if there is a remaining stitch, it can be removed. If there is a different issue, it can be treated.

Inessa Fishman, MD · Answer

Every surgeon has slightly different preferences in terms of surgical techniques, and details like suture types and duration of sutures; having said that, most eyelid surgeons will remove eyelid sutures before the end of the first post-operative week, for fear of leaving visible suture marks.  While eyelid incisions tend to be very forgiving due to the thin, delicate eyelid skin, a bump or two of scar tissue is not unusual in the first few months of healing; this can be easily and well-treated with a tiny injection of dilute, anti-inflammatory steroid.  If a retained suture is indeed the cause of the bump, removing it may very well resolve the bump without a big difference in the final scar.  Without an exam, it's impossible to comment on your specific situation; you would be best served by following up with your surgeon.  Good luck in your recovery!

Lisa Lynn Sowder, MD (retired) - Account Suspended · Answer

You need to see your surgeon about this.  It could be remnant of a stitch or a tiny cyst which are common along the suture line after eyelid surgery.  I'm sure your surgeon wants you to have a smooth recovery and would be happy to see you for this.

Possible stitch left in upper outer eyelid

Answers (4)

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