How to care for a suture after surgery at home

Sometimes situations arise when the threads used to stitch wounds have to be removed independently. In the “Instructions” section we will tell you how to remove sutures at home without problems, pain and complications, and in which cases it is better to consult a specialist.

Classification of postoperative sutures

How quickly the sutures heal after surgery largely depends on the nature of their application and the materials used. In this regard, post-surgical procedures are usually classified as follows.

Bloodless (the edges of the wound are glued together with a special plaster) and bloody (a classic suture that is applied manually with a medical instrument). In turn, the latter are divided into:

simple knots (applied at a distance of 1–2 cm from each other, after which the knot is tightened until the edges of the incision touch);
intradermal continuous (considered the most effective, since after their healing there are no traces left);
mattress (applied after abdominal surgery);
purse string (used in plastic surgery, as well as in operations to reduce the volume of the stomach);
entwining (circular sutures that are used to sew together blood vessels and hollow organs).

Manual (applied with a needle, thread and other special tools) and mechanical (performed with a medical stapler).
Submersible (applied during operations on internal organs with threads that are absorbable or implanted into living tissue) and removable (they are used to stitch the skin, and after the edges of the wound have fused, the threads are removed).

Absorbable sutures are made in cases where long-term fixation of the edges of the incision is required, for example, when cutting the uterus during a cesarean section. As a rule, they are performed with threads from purified connective tissue, which is subsequently rejected into the organ cavity. To apply removable sutures, threads and other fasteners made of cotton, silk, metal and other non-absorbable materials are used (more than 30 varieties in total).

Hand stitching tools

WHEN DISSORBABLE THREAS ARE USED

This type of medical materials is used when suturing surgical wounds: such manipulations are carried out both on the surface of the skin, during cosmetic operations, and in deep layers of tissue, for example, during transplantation of internal organs.

How to care for the suture after surgery?

Once the edges of the incision tighten, there will be no need for additional support. Removal of sutures in the head, face and neck area occurs already on the 5th day after the operation. If they were applied in the area of the torso or limbs, then it will take at least 10 days for the wound to heal. Daily dressings are necessary for the first few days. The patient usually spends this time in the hospital. After discharge, tight bandages are usually no longer needed. But if necessary, you can always change the dressing at the nearest hospital or medical center.

Caring for the suture after surgery consists of daily treating the incision area with an antiseptic and taking medications that accelerate tissue regeneration. All medications for home therapy are used strictly according to the doctor’s recommendation!

Treatment of sutures is usually carried out with ready-made pharmaceutical preparations or homemade antiseptics, such as solutions of iodine, potassium permanganate, brilliant green or hydrogen peroxide. To avoid getting a chemical burn when performing such procedures, the liquid for disinfection should be prepared only according to a prescription issued by a doctor.

To speed up regeneration processes, external agents with wound healing and antibacterial effects are used. These include balsamic liniment (better known as Vishnevsky ointment), levomekol, ichthyol ointment and many others.

Pain of varying intensity after surgery is absolutely normal. If discomfort is severe, analgesics approved by your physician may be used.

Possible consequences

Any surgical intervention does not eliminate the risk of complications, since tissue injury occurs. If the operation is performed by an experienced surgeon, such risks are minimized.

It is necessary to consult a doctor after discharge in case of pathological symptoms:

temperature rise of more than 38 °C for more than one day;
severe pain in the lower abdomen;
constant nausea accompanied by vomiting;
swelling and redness in the area around the suture;
abdominal enlargement;
general deterioration in health with weakness and foggy consciousness.

Signs such as weakness and minor pain without increasing severity are normal and disappear within a few days.

Additional recommendations for suture care after surgery

In addition to medical procedures, certain lifestyle adjustments are also necessary in the postoperative period. In particular, the following rules must be adhered to:

Limit physical activity. Any high and medium intensity exercise (running, aerobics, etc.) during this period is strictly contraindicated.
Avoid heavy lifting. As a rule, a person who has undergone surgery should not lift more than 2–2.5 kg. This rule is especially relevant when caring for a suture on the abdomen after surgery.
Limit mobility in the waist area (avoid sharp and high-amplitude bends and turns of the body) after abdominal surgery.
Carry out water procedures with great care. Before the stitches are removed, or better yet, before a scar forms, it is strongly recommended not to wet the wound.
Avoid any pressure on the wound. When it comes to how to care for a suture after surgery, this is one of the main rules.
In cases where surgery was performed on an arm or leg, the injured limb should be placed above the level of the heart (for example, placed on a pillow) during sleep. If the wound is above the level of the neck, then it is better to sleep with the head of the bed raised by 45° (two pillows are enough for this).
During abdominal operations, observe bed rest until the doctor allows you to break it. To avoid bedsores and improve blood circulation, you can perform simple movements such as lifting your limbs and performing light self-massage.
Strictly follow the diet prescribed by your doctor (especially after abdominal surgery).
Protect the wound from exposure to direct sunlight. After the tissue has healed and until a full-fledged skin forms in this area, you can use sunscreen.

Techniques used in bone grafting

Alveolar process resorption is used for horizontal bone splitting when it is necessary to increase the density of the alveolar process. It is performed on both jaws, and today is the most popular method for increasing the volume of the alveolar process, while having a low cost compared to more expensive procedures. Again, there are variations of this technique, but it’s worth paying attention to “Split Control”. The technique makes it possible to simultaneously expand the space and install an implant.

To increase the volume and length of the alveolar process, a bone block transplantation technique is used. Autogenous material is more often used here. The principle is to screw a bone block taken, for example, from the maxillary region of the zygomatic-alveolar ridge to the bone, using medical mini-screws made of titanium alloy. Then it’s all covered with bone shavings and covered with a connective tissue membrane, which is secured. Subsequently, the surgical wound is tightly sutured with synthetic thread. The disadvantages of autogenous material were discussed above, which should be taken into account when choosing therapy.

Guided tissue regeneration is a method in which it is possible to both increase the height and expand the volume of the alveolar processes. This technique also involves the simultaneous installation of an implant.

The guided bone regeneration technique includes two components:

implanted bone material;
a special barrier membrane that protects against the effects of various infectious agents and other unpleasant factors.

It is important to understand and take into account that the technique of directed bone regeneration does not always provide a sufficient effect. When using this method, bone material is “planted” on the outside of the cortical plate of the upper or lower jaw. The bone structure is very different from its own and is prone to incomplete splitting. Therefore, such an operation should be performed by an experienced doctor who knows all the nuances of the technique and can adequately assess further treatment tactics.

In what cases should you consult a doctor?

Seeking help from a doctor during the healing process of a suture is a completely normal practice, even in the absence of serious problems. And in the event of adverse reactions due to a violation of the treatment regimen or any unforeseen circumstances, it is absolutely impossible to delay it. First of all, it is dangerous to ignore the following symptoms:

bleeding that cannot be stopped by conventional means;
high temperature (more than 38 degrees);
weakness, chills;
increasing pain or other progressive discomfort that cannot be relieved with medications;
purulent discharge of a bright yellow or green color with a thick consistency and very often with an unpleasant odor;
severe redness, swelling, or swelling in the wound area;
the skin at the site of injury is hard and hot to the touch;
the appearance of a rash or blisters;
Suspicion of seam dehiscence.

How long does it take for a wound to heal after surgery?

The rate of healing of a postoperative wound depends on many conditions. Among them:

age;
body mass;
state of immunity;
state of the cardiovascular system.

On average, it takes about 3 months from the moment of surgery to the formation of a scar. Depending on the complexity of the operation and if there are complications, this period may last 12 months. Tissue regeneration takes place in 4 stages.

Inflammation (5–7 days). The body's standard defense reaction to damage. During this period, there is an increased production of substances that stimulate blood clotting.
Polyferation (from 10 days to 1 month). At this stage, the formation of young connective (granulation) tissue, penetrated by a dense network of microvessels, occurs. At first it is bright red in color and grainy in consistency, but as the wound heals it becomes pale and smooth, and its bleeding decreases.
Epithelization (from 1 to 3 months). The connective tissue is finally formed. Skin begins to form at the site of the wound. The number of vessels decreases, a scar forms.
Scar formation (from 3 to 12 months). Temporary vessels completely disappear. Fibers of collagen and elastin - elements of connective tissue - form the scar.

Our advantages

Surgeons at the Innovative Vascular Center have been dealing with the problem of treating pathological tortuosity of the carotid arteries since 2001. During this time, a lot of scientific work was carried out to determine indications for treatment and a diagnostic algorithm. The technique of surgical interventions was developed. Since that time, more than 200 surgical interventions for pathological tortuosity have been performed without complications with good immediate and long-term results. The results of operations in all patients were analyzed. Constant postoperative monitoring of the patency of the operated arteries and neurological functions is carried out.

How to care for a wound when the stitches are removed after surgery?

It would be useful to remind you that stitches should only be removed by a specialist - a doctor or nurse. It is strictly forbidden to perform this procedure yourself, due to the high risk of causing infection in the wound or causing bleeding.

Treatment of the incision site after removal of the sutures is carried out using the same means as before. Treatment procedures last until the wound is completely healed. This usually takes about 1 week.

Professional care for postoperative sutures at Stoletnik MC

If in any matters related to taking care of your own health, you prefer to trust professionals, you are welcome at the medical office. To help those who are not sure how to properly care for a suture after surgery, a wide range of post-operative services is available. Among them:

dressing large and small;
removal of stitches up to 5 cm;
removal of sutures 5–10 cm;
removal of stitches more than 10 cm;
sanitation of the wound surface;
scar excision;
and much more.

The responsibility and high professionalism of the clinic’s staff is the key to the safe and speedy recovery of our patients. And the affordability of the services provided will eliminate the need to waste time and nerves on trips to the clinic. Sign up for procedures by phone: +7 (8412) 999-395, 76-44-20. We are waiting for you at the address: Penza, st. Chaadaeva, 95 (Shuist microdistrict).

Anesthesia

Surgery for pathological tortuosity is performed under local anesthesia or general anesthesia. The choice of anesthesia method in our clinic depends on the volume of the upcoming operation. We prefer to perform this operation under local anesthesia, as it makes it possible to determine the brain's response to temporary compression of the carotid artery. In case of signs of cerebral circulatory insufficiency (impaired consciousness, implementation of commands), methods of protecting the brain (temporary shunt) can be used during test clamping. For operations under general anesthesia, a clamp test of the internal carotid artery is performed during an ultrasound examination before the operation.

Literature

Belyaev A.N., Kozlov S.A., Taratykov I.B., Novikov E.I. Patient care in a surgical clinic: textbook. allowance. – Saransk: Mordovian University Publishing House, 2003. – 136 p.
Buyanov V. M. Egiev V. N. Udotov O. A. Surgical suture. – M.: Antis, 2000. – 92 p.
Zoltan J. Operating technique and conditions for optimal wound healing. – Budapest: Publishing House of the Academy of Sciences of Hungary, 1983. – 175 p.
Mironova E. N. Fundamentals of physical rehabilitation. – M.: MOO “Academy of Safety and Survival”, 2016 – 310 p.
Semenov G.M., Petrishin V.L., Kovshova M.V. Surgical suture - St. Petersburg: Peter, 2001. - 256 p.

Author: Korolev E. S.

Reviewer: reflexologist Kurus A. N.