Stitches under healed scar - what can I do to encourage them to dissolve?

Question

6 months post ETT. Healed incision which had numerous spitting stitches that had delayed healing. Now that its fully healed however, there are about 5 stitches i can feel that have not yet dissolved and moved trying to find their way out. They are right under the scar. What can i do to encourage them to dissolve?

Jeffrey M. Darrow, MD · Answer

I am assuming that the stitches that are directly underneath your skin are dissolving sutures. The reason that you feel a bump is that the knot of the stitch takes longer to dissolve than the loop of the stitch, because there is simply more suture material there. If at all possible simply waiting for the knot to dissolve, will remedy your problem.  I am not aware of anything that accelerates the dissolving of these sutures. Obviously, as you already know, if the stitch spits, then the knot can be removed and that remedies the problem immediately. Unless the stitch spits, I always feel it’s best to just wait until the knot dissolves. Best wishes.

Sepehr Lajevardi, MBBS, PhD, FRACS · Answer

Hi. You should massage these areas along with your scar massage routine. They usually soften over time. Sometimes spitting sutures form scar tissue which may remain firm for an extended period of time. You should get your surgeon to check on this to ensure everything is ok with your healing.

Camille Cash, MD · Answer

There is not much you can do to encourage your sutures to dissolve faster.  If one does come to the surface your surgeon can typically address it in the office with minimal home care needed for healing.  Good luck!

Stitches under healed scar - what can I do to encourage them to dissolve?

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