Surgery to Remove Ethibond 2 Stitches?

Question

I have been set up to have surgery to remove my infected ethibond 2 sutures, problem is he says he may not have enough skin to put me back together again & may require a wound vac. May require additional surgeries for hernia, infections and complications. Says there is a possiblity of eventually clearing up itself but because it is painful now he doesn't think so. Trying to decide if this is really necessary. We have been fighting this for 6 mos and have spit several sutures.

Robert F. Centeno, MD, FACS · Answer

If your Ethibond sutures have become infected, removal is required for you to recover fully.  I recommend that you discuss the treatment plan fully with your surgeon.  Best wishes on your recovery.

Brent Moelleken, MD · Answer

Sorry to hear about your wound problem.  It is natural and very common to become disenchanted when a complication occurs.

	Sometimes it is best just to do the surgery, clean the area out, and close it if the patient has a sequestered infection due to whatever cause -- mesh, sutures either permanent or dissolvable, and treat with antibiotics.

	I always encourage my patients to seek second opinions if they have significant questions about the treatment course.  Usually the second opinion reaffirms the treatment course and makes the patient feel that, although they have had a complication, they are being well taken care of.

Aldo Guerra, MD · Answer

Thanks for posting your concerns. Sorry to hear that you are having a tough time after TT. Suture infection as you have described occurs occasionally and it sounds like your doctor has recommended removal of the suture material. If this has gone on for 6 months, it would seem very reasonable to approach this soon with surgery. It is also reasonable for your doctor to disclose all the risks and complications before proceeding with surgery. You should have a second opinion to address your other concerns about the recommended operation. Best wishes, Dr. Aldo.

Jeffrey Zwiren, MD · Answer

Ethibond is a braided non-absorbable suture. Once infected the infection will never clear until the suture is removed. I do not understand your other concerns as this will not just take care of itself. Antibiotics are unlikely to rectify the situation.

Karol A. Gutowski, MD, FACS · Answer

Ethibond suture infections are unlikely to resolve without removing the sutures, unless they "spit" out on their own. If this problem has been going on for 6 months, removal seems reasonable.

Jourdan Gottlieb, MD · Answer

Assuming that your wound is closed now, I am having trouble understanding why your surgeon is concerned about reclosing it after removing some permanent sutures. 

	After multiple removals of the sutures over 6 months, I do understand the reasons for removing all the permanent sutures. I would think about getting a second opinion.

	All the best.

Surgery to Remove Ethibond 2 Stitches?

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