I've had complications with dissolvable stitches. Are there alternatives methods that can be used for my upcoming Tummy Tuck?

From time to time I have a patient whose body does not react well to dissolvable sutures.  One alternative that I have used on occasion is a pull-out stitch.  Basically this is a running suture that is removed by your surgeon about 7 to 10 days after surgery. Nonetheless, some deeper sutures that can't be easily removed will also be necessary.  However, it is usually the superficial sutures that can cause a problem. Best of luck.  

Vicryl/polysorb sutures are braided dissolvable sutures that can become quite inflamed when close to the surface of the skin.  My preference is to use non-braided dissolvable sutures at the skin level.   These sutures do not cause the same degree of inflammation.

Thank you for your question.We call those 'events' "stitch-spitting" when the sutures have not melted yet and your body is trying to push them out.  Vicryl sutures is notorious for this and the reaction can be quite inflammatory.  I don't use vicryl much anymore unless I am very deep into the tissues.Better ones are PDS and Monocryl.  They don't get 'rejected' as much and when they do, it is usually more benign compared to vicryl.Considering that #breast surgery and #tummytuck ( #abdominoplasty ) involve a lot of fine stitching, it is not uncommon to have 1 or 2 of those.Once the external stitches removed (when used), I then recommend my #Toronto, #RichmondHill, #Peterborough and #NorthumberlandCounty (one of the prettiest county in Ontario!) patients to massage their incisions twice daily with Vitamin E oil or Bio-Oil;  the mechanical massaging help to move your skin internal fluids around the stitches and favour their quick melting.Best of luck with your procedure!With regards,Dr. Marc DuPere, Toronto plastic surgeon, 416-929-9800

Many patients can develop small wounds from sutures and knots that do not dissolve and erode through the skin.  This may be due to the type of suture used or the suturing technique.  It often occurs in large incisions seen with breast lifts, breast reductions and tummy tucks.  I recommend that you address your concerns with a plastic surgeon prior to surgery.

Most of the "spitting" suture problems are related to superficially placed braided vicryl type sutures. You should discuss this concern with your PS. With a tummy tuck you will need some disolveable  sutures to be placed. Monofilament sutures placed a bit deeper and with a more buried knot will likely not cause these previous problems. Be certain your PS is aware of your past problems related to this.