After stitches removed wound still open. Suture Care: Essential Guide to Wound Healing and Scar Management
What are sutures and how do they work. How to properly care for sutured wounds. What are the signs of infection after suturing. How to manage scars and promote optimal healing.
Understanding Sutures: The Basics of Wound Closure
Sutures, commonly known as stitches, are medical devices used to hold together the edges of a wound or surgical incision. They play a crucial role in the healing process by keeping the wound closed and promoting proper tissue repair.
Why are sutures important for wound healing?
- They minimize scarring by aligning wound edges
- They reduce the risk of infection by closing the wound
- They provide support to the wound as it heals
- They help control bleeding and promote clot formation
Different types of sutures are used depending on the location and nature of the wound. Some are designed to dissolve on their own, while others require removal by a healthcare professional.
Proper Care for Sutured Wounds: Promoting Optimal Healing
Caring for sutured wounds is crucial for preventing complications and ensuring proper healing. Here are essential guidelines to follow:
Keeping the Wound Dry
How long should a sutured wound be kept dry?
It’s crucial to keep the wound completely dry for the first 24 hours after suturing. This initial period allows the wound to begin the healing process without interference from moisture. After 24 hours, brief exposure to water (such as during a shower) is generally acceptable, but the wound should be patted dry immediately afterward.
Wound Cleanliness
Maintaining a clean wound environment is essential for preventing infection and promoting healing. Avoid activities that may introduce dirt or debris into the wound. If instructed by your healthcare provider, gently clean the area around the sutures with mild soap and water, being careful not to disturb the stitches themselves.
Activity Restrictions
What activities should be avoided with sutured wounds?
It’s important to avoid activities that could put strain on the sutured area, as this may cause the stitches to come apart. Depending on the location of the wound, this might include:
- Heavy lifting
- Vigorous exercise
- Swimming
- Activities that could cause the wound to be struck or bumped
Always follow your healthcare provider’s specific instructions regarding activity limitations.
Recognizing and Addressing Wound Complications
While proper care can prevent many issues, it’s essential to be aware of potential complications that may arise during the healing process.
Signs of Infection
What are the warning signs of an infected sutured wound?
Keep an eye out for the following symptoms, which may indicate infection:
- Fever within 48 hours of suturing
- Increased redness or swelling around the wound
- Warmth or tenderness in the area
- Increased pain or throbbing sensation
- Excessive or persistent oozing
- Pus or foul-smelling discharge
If you notice any of these signs, contact your healthcare provider promptly for evaluation and potential treatment.
Managing Pain and Discomfort
Some degree of discomfort is normal during the healing process. For mild pain, over-the-counter pain relievers such as paracetamol or ibuprofen can be helpful. Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions and consult with your healthcare provider if you have any concerns about pain management.
The Suture Removal Process: What to Expect
The timing of suture removal depends on various factors, including the location and nature of the wound. Your healthcare provider will determine the appropriate time for removal.
Types of Sutures
What are the different types of sutures used for wound closure?
There are two main categories of sutures:
- Non-absorbable sutures: These require removal by a healthcare professional.
- Absorbable sutures: These dissolve on their own over time and typically don’t need removal.
Your healthcare provider will choose the most appropriate type for your specific wound.
The Removal Procedure
Suture removal is generally a quick and straightforward process performed by a healthcare professional. They will use sterile instruments to carefully cut and remove the stitches. You may experience a slight tugging sensation, but the procedure is usually not painful.
After removal, it’s normal to notice a slight oozing from the wound site. This typically resolves quickly and is part of the normal healing process.
Understanding Scar Formation and Management
Scarring is a natural part of the wound healing process. While all wounds will result in some degree of scarring, proper care can help minimize its appearance.
The Scar Maturation Process
How long does it take for a scar to fully mature?
Scar maturation is a gradual process that occurs over an extended period:
- Initial 6-8 weeks: The scar transitions from a thick, red, raised appearance to a thinner, paler, more flexible state.
- Up to 2 years: The scar continues to mature, potentially becoming less noticeable over time.
The final appearance of a scar depends on various factors, including the extent of the original wound, individual skin characteristics, and how well the scar was cared for during healing.
Scar Massage Techniques
Scar massage can be an effective way to improve the appearance and flexibility of healing scars. Here’s a guide to proper scar massage:
- When to start: Begin scar massage about 2-4 weeks after injury or once sutures have been removed.
- Frequency: Perform massage for 5-10 minutes, twice daily.
- Technique: Initially, massage along the direction of the incision. After about 4 weeks, you can massage in all directions.
- Pressure: Apply enough pressure to change the scar’s color from pink to pale, but not so firm that it causes pain.
Continue daily massage until the scar becomes pale and thin.
Scar Care: Enhancing Appearance and Functionality
Proper scar care can significantly impact the final appearance and functionality of the healed wound. Here are key strategies for optimal scar management:
Moisturizing for Scar Health
Why is moisturizing important for scar care?
Keeping the scar well-moisturized can help improve its appearance and flexibility. Consider using:
- Vitamin E cream
- Aloe vera
- Sorbolene
- Other unscented, hypoallergenic moisturizers
Apply moisturizer gently during scar massage to help soften the tissue and make the massage more effective.
Sun Protection for Scars
Protecting healing scars from sun exposure is crucial to prevent permanent discoloration. Always use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with at least SPF 30 on the scar when it’s exposed to sunlight. Additionally, consider covering the scar with clothing or staying in the shade to minimize UV exposure.
Identifying Problem Scars
How can you tell if a scar is not healing properly?
While some variation in scar appearance is normal, certain signs may indicate a problem scar:
- Persistent pain or itching
- Hardness or raised appearance
- Restricted movement in the affected area
- Prolonged redness or purple coloration
If you notice any of these issues, consult your healthcare provider for evaluation and potential treatment options.
Special Considerations for Pediatric Wound Care
When caring for sutured wounds in children, there are additional factors to consider:
Activity Restrictions for Children
What activities should children avoid while healing from sutured wounds?
It’s important to limit activities that could potentially damage the healing wound or introduce dirt and bacteria. This may include:
- Bike riding
- Skateboarding
- Swimming
- Playing in sandpits or other dirty environments
Supervise children closely and provide alternative activities that don’t risk compromising the wound healing process.
Explaining Wound Care to Children
Help children understand the importance of wound care by using age-appropriate explanations. Encourage their participation in the care process when possible, such as helping to apply sunscreen or reminding you about scar massage time.
By involving children in their wound care, you can help them develop good habits and reduce anxiety about the healing process.
When to Seek Professional Help
While many sutured wounds heal without complications, it’s important to know when to seek medical attention. Contact your healthcare provider if you experience:
- Signs of infection (as mentioned earlier)
- Sutures that fall out before the scheduled removal date
- Reopening of the wound
- Excessive bleeding
- Severe or increasing pain
- Any concerns about the healing process or scar formation
Remember, early intervention can prevent more serious complications and promote optimal healing outcomes.
By following these guidelines for suture care, wound management, and scar treatment, you can help ensure the best possible healing results. Always consult with your healthcare provider for personalized advice and follow their specific instructions for your unique situation.
Suture care
What are sutures?
A suture is a stitch or a row of stitches holding together the edges of a wound or surgical incision. Sutures can sometimes be called stitches.
It is important to care for your sutures to help the healing process.
Keep the wound dry
- It is important to keep your wound dry, especially for the first 24 hours. The wound needs time to heal and moisture will slow this down.
- After the first 24 hours you can wet the wound for a short time, for example in the shower. Pat the wound dry immediately after it gets wet.
- Do not soak the wound or swim until the sutures have been removed.
- Only use creams or ointments (emollients) recommended by your doctor.
- If you sutures are also dressed with bandages, follow the care instructions given by your doctor.
Keep the wound clean
- Keep your wound clean and dirt free.
- Avoid any activities that may put strain on the area that has been sutured. This could lead to sutures coming apart.
The healing process
- Do not pick covering dressings.
- Do not pick scabs. They will fall off once the wound is healed or when the sutures are removed.
- A slight ooze may occur when the suturing is removed. This is normal.
- It is normal for the scar to be red in colour initially, but this will fade over the next few months.
Signs of infection
A wound may become infected. Signs of infection are:
- fever within 48 hours of suturing
- redness
- swelling
- increased pain
- excessive or persistent ooze
- pus or smelly discharge.
If you are concerned about possible signs of infection or have any other concerns visit your GP or Emergency Department.
Pain relief
- If you have mild pain, consider taking paracetamol or ibuprofen and follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
Removal of sutures
- If sutures fall out before their removal date see your doctor.
- Your GP may be able to remove the sutures.
- In some cases, disposable sutures are used. These stiches will dissolve and break down themselves. These will not need to be removed by a doctor.
Wound healing and scarring
Scars form as a normal part of healing whenever the skin is damaged. All cuts will heal with a scar, however, the scar will be less noticeable if good care is given to the wound when it is healing.
During the first 6 to 8 weeks after the injury, the scar will change from a thick, red raised scar to a thinner, paler, more flexible one. Scars can take up to 2 years to fully mature.
The final appearance of the scar depends on several factors including the extent of the original wound, inherited skin qualities and how well the scar was looked after.
Looking after your scar
Scar massage
After the sutures have been removed from a wound, or around 2 to 4 weeks after the injury, scar massage can be performed. This should be done for 5 to 10 minutes, twice a day. Do not massage any scar that is open or looks infected.
For the first 2 to 4 weeks, massage should be done along the same direction as the incision. The pressure applied should be enough to change the colour of the scar from pink to pale, but should not be so firm that it is painful.
After about 4 weeks, the scar can be massaged in all directions. Continue to massage daily until the scar is pale and thin.
Moisturising
Moisturising lotions such as Vitamin E cream, aloe vera, sorbolene or other un-fragranced products can be used to soften the scar and make massage easier.
Sun protection
It is very important to protect the scar from sun damage, which can permanently discolour the scar. You should always cover the scar with at least SPF 30 sunblock or zinc cream, wear clothing that covers the scar and stay in the shade.
Daily activity
It is important to avoid activities and areas that will get the wound dirty. This includes bike riding, skateboarding and swimming and play areas like sandpits.
Problem scars
A scar is a problem if it is painful or itchy, hard or raised, restricts movement or remains purple or red.
Risk factors for problem scars include certain skin types (especially dark, Mediterranean or Asian skin), previous problem scars, or post-operative wound complications such as poor healing (greater than three weeks) or infection.
Contact your GP if you are concerned that your scar is not healing as expected.
Where to get help
Acknowledgements
Child and Adolescent Health Service – Community Health (CAHS CH)
This publication is provided for education and information purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical care. Information about a therapy, service, product or treatment does not imply endorsement and is not intended to replace advice from your healthcare professional. Readers should note that over time currency and completeness of the information may change. All users should seek advice from a qualified healthcare professional for a diagnosis and answers to their medical questions.
What to Do If a Surgical Wound Reopens
After surgery, a physician closes the wound with stitches, staples, or skin glue. These materials hold the edges of the wound together to promote healing. Occasionally, the stitches, staples or glue give way and the wound reopens, either partially or completely. A wound reopening is called wound dehiscence (“duh-hi-sense”).
Surgical wound opening is most likely within 3 to 10 days after surgery. Medical attention may be necessary to prevent infection and promote healing.
Risk Factors for Surgical Wound Opening
Some medical conditions and situations increase the risk of wound dehiscence. If you have any of these at-risk conditions, carefully inspect your wound daily for signs of separation:
- Obesity, as excess weight puts extra stress on surgical incisions
- Diabetes, which is linked to poor wound healing
- Smoking, which is also linked to poor wound healing
- Poor nutrition, which impairs wound healing
- Long-term use of corticosteroid medication. These medicines, which are used to manage many medical conditions (such as asthma), can inhibit healing.
- Advanced age. Older skin is often thinner and more prone to injury, and older people are more likely to also have a medical condition that may impair healing.
Increasing your activity too soon after surgery also increases the risk of surgical wound dehiscence. It is best to follow your physician’s instructions regarding rest and activity. As inconvenient as it may seem to ask others to lift and carry things for you after surgery, it’s better to do so than to do it yourself and reopen your wound.
Infection of the surgical incision is another common cause of wound dehiscence.
What to Do When a Surgical Wound Opens
Call your healthcare provider as soon as you notice a problem with your wound. Call even if the problem seems minor—if just one stitch or staple is missing, for instance, and the rest of the incision looks okay. It’s better to get expert medical advice than to skip it and hope everything will be fine.
If most of the wound is intact, your physician may recommend applying antibiotic ointment to the wound and covering it with a clean bandage or dressing. If the wound has opened substantially, your doctor will likely ask you to come in for evaluation and treatment. Treatment may include cleaning and reclosing the wound and a course of antibiotic medicine. (If your provider prescribes antibiotics, be sure to take the medicine as directed and finish the whole course of antibiotics.)
In some cases, reclosing the wound is not the best option. Instead, the healthcare provider may recommend allowing the wound to heal from the inside out, using wet-to-dry dressings to protect the wound and promote healing. Your physician or a nurse will show you how to appropriately care for the wound and handle dressing changes.
If your surgical wound “pops” open, exposing a gaping hole, cover it with saline-soaked gauze pads (if possible), top with dry gauze (or clean towels), and head to the hospital. (Ideally, after calling your healthcare provider.) Call 911 if you need transport assistance. An abdominal wound that’s popped open, for instance, requires expert medical attention, which may include surgery.
Knowing what to do when a surgical wound reopens will allow you to react quickly, which may prevent further complications.
Incision Care: Steri-Strips, Staples & Stitches
Overview
What is an incision?
An incision is a cut through the skin made during surgery. Another name for an incision is a surgical wound. The size, location, and number of incisions depend on the type of surgery.
What is a dressing and how often should dressings be changed?
A dressing is a sterile bandage that protects incisions from bacteria and keeps it clean and dry. Dressings should be changed daily or according to your doctor’s orders.
Procedure Details
How are incision(s) closed?
Incisions are held closed using stitches, staples, tissue glue, or a special kind of adhesive tape called Steri-Strips™. A sterile dressing covers the incision(s).
How do I care for my incisions after surgery?
Incisions must be kept clean and dry. Proper care of incisions promotes healing, reduces scarring, and reduces the risk of an infection. Follow your doctor’s instructions for incision care very carefully.Some general tips about caring for incisions include:
- Always wash your hands before and after touching your incisions.
- Always inspect your incisions and wounds every day for signs of infection.
- Bleeding: If the incisions start to bleed, cover them with a clean tissue or towel and apply direct and constant pressure to the incisions for at least 5 minutes. If bleeding stops, remove the bloody dressing, clean the incisions (see instructions below), and apply a fresh dressing. If bleeding does not stop after a few minutes, keep applying direct constant pressure to the incisions and call your doctor or go to the emergency room.
- Clothing: Avoid wearing tight clothes that rub on the incisions.
- Itching: Incisions may feel itchy as they heal; this is normal. Don’t scratch them. If the itchiness gets worse instead of better, call your doctor. This may be a sign of infection or that stitches are too tight.
- Staples and Stitches: You may wash or shower 24 hours after surgery unless you are directed otherwise by your healthcare professional. Cleanse the area with mild soap and water and gently pat dry with a clean cloth. Your staples will be removed when the wound is healed. Some stitches dissolve over time; others need to be removed by your doctor. Dissolvable stitches often are held in place by strips of tape (Steri-Strips).
- Steri-Strips: You may wash or shower with Steri-Strips in place. Cleanse the area with mild soap and water and gently pat dry with a clean towel or cloth. Do not pull, tug, or rub Steri-Strips. The Steri-Strips will fall off on their own within 2 weeks. After 2 weeks, gently remove any remaining Steri-Strips.
- Tissue glue: The glue should be kept dry and the incisions should be kept out of direct sunlight. The glue will dry out and fall off within 5 to 10 days.
What supplies are needed to change a dressing?
The basic supplies needed for changing a dressing are:
- Gauze pads.
- Disposable medical gloves.
- Surgical tape.
- Plastic bag (for disposing of old dressing, tape, etc.).
- Scissors.
What steps are involved in changing a dressing?
The steps begin with preparing the area where the dressing will be changed. The next steps are to remove the old dressing, cleanse and rinse the incision, and apply the new dressing.
Step 1: How do I prepare the area for changing the dressing?
First, you or the caregiver who is changing the dressing needs a clean surface to work on. Pets should be moved to a different room, and the caregiver should remove any jewelry. The surface where the supplies will be laid out should be washed with soap and water and covered with a clean cloth or paper towel.
Step 2.
How do I remove the old dressing?
First, you’ll prepare your new dressing. Open the gauze package(s) without touching the gauze. Next, cut new tape strips. Set aside.
To remove the old dressing:
- Wash your hands by wetting them down, adding soap, and washing for 30 seconds (about the time it takes to sing “Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star”). Clean under your nails.
- Rinse your hands well and dry with a clean towel.
- Put on medical gloves and loosen the tape holding the dressing in place.
- Remove the dressing. Unless the doctor has said to remove the dressing dry, you can wet it if it sticks to the wound to help remove it. Throw the old dressing and dirty medical gloves into a plastic bag.
Step 3. How do I cleanse and rinse the incision?
First, place a towel under the wound to catch the drainage. Wash your hands with soap and water. Dry with a clean towel and put on new medical gloves.
To cleanse the incision:
- Make mild soapy water or a salt water solution.
- Soak a piece of gauze or soft cloth in the soapy water or saline solution and gently pat or wipe the incision and skin around it with the damp cloth.
- Use the damp cloth to remove dried blood and drainage from the skin around the incision.
- Unless otherwise specified by the doctor, do not use skin cleansers, alcohol, peroxide, iodine, or antibacterial soap. These can damage the tissue and slow healing.
To rinse the incision:
- Fill a syringe with salt water or soapy water, whichever your doctor recommends.
- Hold the syringe 1 to 6 inches away from the incision and gently squeeze the bulb to spray the solution into the incision. This rinsing will wash away any remaining blood or drainage.
- Pat the incision dry using a soft, dry cloth, or piece of gauze.
Always inspect your incisions for signs of infection. (See question, “what are the signs of a possible infection”)
Step 4. How do I apply the new dressing?
- If your surgeon prescribed an antibiotic ointment, apply a very thin layer of the ointment to the incision.
- Hold a clean, sterile gauze pad by a corner and place it over the incisions. (This is the gauze that you opened and set aside in step 2.)
- Tape all four sides of the gauze pad. (This is the tape that you already cut and set aside in step 2.)
- Put all trash in the plastic bag, remove your gloves and add them to the trash bag.
- Seal plastic bag and throw it away.
- Wash your hands.
- Wash any soiled laundry separately. Ask your doctor if you should add bleach during the wash cycle.
What can I do to reduce the risk of infection?
- Always wash your hands before and after touching your incisions.
- Follow your doctor’s instructions about keeping the incisions and dressing dry.
- Follow your doctor’s instructions about changing the dressing.
- Avoid:
- Exposing incisions to sunlight for at least 3 months.
- Removing the tape strips; picking at staples, tissue glue, or stitches.
- Keeping the incisions wet (make sure the incision sites have been patted dry after washing).
- Using scented soap, lotion or powder, alcohol, iodine, or peroxide around the incisions.
Risks / Benefits
What are the signs of a possible infection in an incision?
- A wound that has green or yellow drainage
- A bad odor from the incision.
- Opening of the incision line – it gets deeper, longer, or wider.
- Redness that goes beyond the basic edge of the incision – site should show signs of improvement and not getting redder.
- Warmth, hardness, around the incision.
- Fever (greater than 101 degrees Fahrenheit or 38.4 degrees Celsius), sweating, or chills.
- Swings in blood sugar levels in a diabetic patient.
What are the general risk factors for developing an infection?
Patients at higher risk are those who have:
- Diabetes.
- A history of smoking.
- Excess weight.
- Poor nutrition.
- Weak immune system (for example, a patient on chemotherapy or an elderly patient).
- Recent emergency surgery or a long surgical procedure.
Recovery and Outlook
What are the limits on activity while an incision is healing?
Staying active improves healing by improving blood flow. After some types of surgery, the doctor may recommend avoiding lifting, pulling, straining, exercise, or sports for a month after surgery. Following these instructions will prevent opening of the incision line and promote healing.
How long does it take for an incision to heal?
Good incision care can help ensure that it heals well and an infection doesn’t develop. In most cases, a surgical incision heals in about two weeks. More complex surgical incisions will take longer to heal. Patients with other medical conditions or taking certain medications may need a little extra time to heal.
When to Call the Doctor
When is it important to call the doctor?
Call the doctor if you experience:
- Bleeding that does not stop with pressure.
- If there is any sign of infection (see question, “what are the signs of a possible infection”).
- If you have questions or confusion about incision care instructions.
When should sutures be removed?
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Kaulbach HC, Towler MA, McClelland WA, Povinelli KM, Becker DG, Cantrell RW, et al. A beveled, conventional cutting edge surgical needle: a new innovation in wound closure. J Emerg Med. 1990 May-Jun. 8(3):253-63. [Medline].
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Nitsch A, Pabyk A, Honig JF, Verheggen R, Merten HA. Cellular, histomorphologic, and clinical characteristics of a new octyl-2-cyanoacrylate skin adhesive. Aesthetic Plast Surg. 2005 Jan-Feb. 29(1):53-8. [Medline].
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Hasan Z, Gangopadhyay AN, Gupta DK, Srivastava P, Sharma SP. Sutureless skin closure with isoamyl 2-cyanoacrylate in pediatric day-care surgery. Pediatr Surg Int. 2009 Dec. 25(12):1123-5. [Medline].
Krishnamoorthy B, Najam O, Khan UA, Waterworth P, Fildes JE, Yonan N. Randomized prospective study comparing conventional subcuticular skin closure with Dermabond skin glue after saphenous vein harvesting. Ann Thorac Surg. 2009 Nov. 88(5):1445-9. [Medline].
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What Causes Surgical Wound Dehiscence?
According to the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI), postoperative wound dehiscence—in which surgical sites that have been sutured, stapled, or glued together following a procedure come apart—results in nearly 10% of post-operative surgery deaths, almost 10 days of extra hospitalization, and approximately $40,000 in costs.
The separation of the incision following a surgical procedure can be partial, resulting in superficial layers or a small number of tissue layers being reopened. Worse, it can result in complete dehiscence, with all layers being separated and organs being exposed or protruding through incision openings.
With this knowledge and these statistics in mind, it’s important for physicians and their patients to understand what leads to surgical wound dehiscence.
Six Factors Leading to Wound Dehiscence
Sometimes, wound dehiscence happens due to improper suturing on the part of the physician. Improper suturing could be caused by these six factors.
1. Using an Inappropriate Knot
Knots maintain the appropriate tension on a wound which is vital when it comes to proper healing and reducing the chances of wound dehiscence. Physicians applying sutures need to understand which knot is most appropriate for any given surgery. These include the basic square knot, the one- and two-hand tie, the instrument tie, the simple interrupted stitch, and the vertical mattress stitch. You can learn more about these methods with the Boston University School of Medicine Surgery.
2. Tying Knots Too Loose or Too Tight
A loose knot can result in a suture to lose tension and slip open. They can also easily snag on something during a patient’s daily activities, causing a break that results in wound dehiscence. If a suture is not held under the proper tension through a correctly tied knot, healing abilities will be compromised; this could not only lead to wound dehiscence, but also excessive scarring and discomfort. On the other hand, an incision could be placed under too much tension, causing it to break open and potentially cutting tissue in the process.
3. Using an Inappropriate Suturing Material
There are a variety of materials used for suturing, and each has its time and place. For example, multifilament materials, which are braided or twisted to increase the friction rate may be necessary for one surgery, while monofilament materials, which consist of only one strand of fiber and reduce friction rates, may be acceptable for another. The use of synthetic polymeric monofilament sutures can also pose a problem; these materials have “memory,” returning to their original shape over time instead of lying flat, which is important for many surgical procedures.
Using absorbable versus non-absorbable sutures should also be a consideration. Absorbable materials, which dissolve naturally into the body over time, can be a bit unpredictable in the breakdown time; when used on surface wounds, they could dissipate earlier than expected resulting in a tear or opening.
4. Improper Placement of Sutures
Oftentimes, wound dehiscence occurs because sutures have been placed too close to the wound edges. These wound edges may experience inflammation, swelling, increased blood supply, and reduced collagen structure, all of which make them vulnerable to coming apart. In addition, dead tissue that can no longer support the suturing within these edges could also lead to the suture coming apart.
5. Early Removal of Sutures
If sutures are removed too soon or allowed to remain too long, complications may occur. Removing them too soon—before the tissues beneath have had time to bond—the wound could reopen, damaging new material that was beginning to form and allowing bacteria access to the site. Of course, it’s important not to leave the sutures in for too long as well; this can cause excessive scarring.
6. Suturing when Foreign Objects Are Present
Proper cleansing of a wound before suturing is critical. If any foreign objects, such as wood or metal splinters, shards of glass, bone fragments, gravel, hair, or even cloth fibers are left in before the wound is closed, they could cause bleeding, inflammation, and infection, leading to wound dehiscence.
Other Reasons for Wound Dehiscence
While we’ve highlighted some reasons wound dehiscence may occur due to the choices of a physician, it’s important to understand that wound dehiscence can occur due to the health or the actions of the patient. They may put too much stress on an incision site through exercise, breaking apart a properly sutured incision; they may have a weakened immune system due to diabetes, cancer, or HIV/AIDS, leading to dehiscence; or it’s possible that a fit of coughing or a bout of laughter could even cause the break. For more, read our story Ten Ways to Keep Your Surgical Wound From Opening.
A Way to Prevent Wound Dehiscence
Many factors can contribute to wound dehiscence, but with suturing being one of the causes, doesn’t it make sense to look for an alternative wound closure method?
Now you have one: BandGrip. The latest development in wound closure technology, BandGrip Micro-Anchor Skin Closures are a quick, intuitive, and minimally-invasive closure option for surgeons. Resembling a typical adhesive bandage, BandGrip’s patented micro-anchors grip the skin tightly and hold wound edges together to facilitate a secure closure offering many advantages:
- Faster and easier application versus sutures and staples
- Eliminates the risk of needlestick injuries
- Can be applied by a nurse or physician’s assistant
- Results in less scarring than sutures or staples
- Supports better mobility due to its smooth, water-resistant surface
- Ability to be tiled for larger wounds or incisions
- Does not require a return visit for removal, saving surgeon’s time
Want to see BandGrip in action? View the video below.
Taking Care of Your Stitches or Staples | CS Mott Children’s Hospital
Topic Overview
Your wound will need care and observation. After the stitches or staples are put in, the area may be covered with a thin layer of ointment and covered with a nonstick bandage. Your doctor will give you instructions on how to care for your stitches or staples. Be sure to follow those instructions.
Check with your doctor about how long you need to keep your wound dry. In some cases the bandage can be removed after 24 to 48 hours, and the wound can then be gently washed to remove the crust. Do not scrub or soak the wound during the first 48 hours.
If you did not get instructions, follow this general advice:
- Keep the wound bandaged and dry for the first day.
- After the first day, wash around the wound with clean water 2 times a day. Don’t use hydrogen peroxide or alcohol, which can slow healing.
- You may cover the wound with a thin layer of petroleum jelly, such as Vaseline, and a nonstick bandage.
- Apply more petroleum jelly and replace the bandage as needed.
It is normal for stitches or staples to cause a small amount of skin redness and swelling where the stitch or staple enters the skin. Your wound may itch or feel irritated. Check your wound every day for signs of infection.
Your cut may not need a bandage if it is not likely to get dirty, it is not draining, and it is in an area where clothing will not rub it. If you use a bandage, change it every 24 hours and anytime it gets wet or very dirty.
Your doctor will tell you when to have your stitches or staples removed. When deciding how long to leave your stitches or staples in place, your doctor will consider several factors, such as the location, depth, and size of your wound and your general health. Be sure to follow his or her instructions.
Most of the time, stitches are removed:
- From the face in 4 to 5 days.
- From the hands and arms in 5 to 10 days.
- From the feet, legs, chest, abdomen, and back in 7 to 14 days.
- Over a joint in 7 to 14 days.
Credits
Current as of:
February 26, 2020
Author: Healthwise Staff
Medical Review:
William H. Blahd Jr. MD, FACEP – Emergency Medicine
Adam Husney MD – Family Medicine
Kathleen Romito MD – Family Medicine
H. Michael O’Connor MD – Emergency Medicine
Martin J. Gabica MD – Family Medicine
Current as of: February 26, 2020
Author:
Healthwise Staff
Medical Review:William H. Blahd Jr. MD, FACEP – Emergency Medicine & Adam Husney MD – Family Medicine & Kathleen Romito MD – Family Medicine & H. Michael O’Connor MD – Emergency Medicine & Martin J. Gabica MD – Family Medicine
Kids Health Information : Stitches and glue care
If your child has had a cut, their wound may need to be either stitched (sutured) or glued.
There are many different stitch types and techniques. Sometimes dissolvable stitches are used, and sometimes stiches that need to be removed are used. Your doctor will advise you if your child has stitches that need to be removed.
A special glue (e. g. Dermabond) is another type of treatment used in hospitals and medical clinics to keep the edges of the skin together. It has the same effect as stitches, and only takes about a minute to apply and dry. The glue is transparent so you can see the wound.
Care at home
Your child’s cut will be red, tender and swollen straight after stitching or gluing. These symptoms should clear as the wound starts to heal (after about two to three days).
Your child may need some simple pain relief (such as paracetamol) in the first couple of days following an injury. Speak to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist, or see our fact sheet
Pain relief for children.
All wounds, whether stitched or glued, will leave a scar. Initially the scar may be red or purple in colour, and will fade to light pink, white or nearly invisible over time. This may take up to a year.
It’s important to protect your child’s wound from the sun by keeping it covered. To prevent the scar from darkening, use sunscreen on the healed wound for at least 12 months.
Stitches
- Take care not to get the wound wet for at least five days. Keeping the wound dry will allow the skin to come together and start the healing process.
- Do not let your child go swimming until after the stitches have been removed and the wound is healed.
- Try not to let your child pick any scabs, crusts or dressings from the wound area. They will come away on their own, once the wound has completely healed.
- If the stitches come out and the wound is open (gaping) or it has been less than 48 hours since the wound has been stitched, see your GP or go to your nearest hospital emergency department.
Dissolvable stitches
- Your doctor will tell you if your child has dissolvable stitches.
- Dissolvable stitches disappear by themselves and do not need to be removed. This may take up to two weeks, or longer in some cases.
- It is important to not get the wound wet for at least five days.
Glue
- Keep the wound dry. Your child may have a shower or a brief bath after 24 hours, but do not soak or scrub the wound until it has fully healed. Pat the wound dry with a towel after a shower or bath.
- Do not let your child go swimming or have a soak in the bath for seven days.
- Do not let your child rub, scratch or pick at the glue or the wound. If adhesive tape (e.g. Steri-Strips) has been applied over the glue, allow it to fall off naturally. Do not pick it off as this may cause the wound to open. The glue may take up to three weeks to
completely fall off your child’s wound. - Do not use creams or ointments over the glue or near the adhesive tape. This may cause the glue to soften and come off.
When to see a doctor
Take your child to see your GP if there are signs the wound is becoming infected. These include:
- the wound becomes more swollen or red around the edges and the redness spreads to the surrounding skin or is hot to the touch
- your child develops a fever
- the wound smells or there is pus (this is usually yellow or green in colour).
Also see a GP if:
- the glue has come off or a stitch/stitches fall out and the wound is open (gaping) or bleeding
- you are worried for any reason.
If your child’s stitches are not dissolvable, you will need to make an appointment to see your GP to get the stitches removed (an appointment may have been made when the stiches were put in). Your emergency doctor or nurse will advise you when to do this. The time for removal of
stitches varies depending on where on the body they are, but it is usually between five to 10 days. It is important to get your child’s stitches taken out on the correct day, as leaving them in for longer may lead to unnecessary scarring.
Key points to remember
- Keep the wound dry for five days, and protect the wound from the sun.
- Do not allow your child to pick or scratch at the stitches/glue or dressings.
- Take your child to the GP if the wound becomes more red or swollen, if it smells or there is pus.
- Take your child to the GP if a stitch falls out and the wound is bleeding or open.
- See your GP to get the stitches removed (unless other arrangements have been made) in the time specified.
For more information
Common questions our doctors are asked
What can I do to stop my child scratching at her stitches?
When wounds are healing, it is natural for them to become
itchy. If your child is old enough to understand, explain that if they scratch
they will prevent the cut from healing properly, and that scratching might make
the scar worse. For young children and babies, wearing mittens may help prevent
them from scratching.
Are staples ever used in children?
Although they are commonly used in adults, staples are
rarely used on children. They may be used for larger cuts. If staples are used
on your child, caring for the staples is similar to caring for non-dissolvable
stitches. A GP will be able to remove your child’s staples.
Developed by The Royal Children’s Hospital Emergency department. We acknowledge the input of RCH consumers and carers.
Reviewed
March 2018.
Kids Health Info is supported by The Royal Children’s Hospital Foundation. To donate, visit
www.rchfoundation.org.au.
What to do if the suture has split after the operation
How do you think, what feelings does a person feel after the suture has diverged after the operation? Of course, he panics. Therefore, the main advice that can be given to the patient is to try to calm down and not fall into despair. The first step is to “assess the damage” and examine the wound. After that, whatever you see, the best solution would be to see a specialist in the near future.
Types of surgical sutures. Surgical sutures are internal and external. Internal seams are essential for the strength of the fabric bond. External are used for short-term fixation of the skin.
The main reasons for the divergence of the seams. Despite the fact that the divergence of the seams is quite rare, there are several reasons why this trouble can occur, such as:
- diabetes mellitus;
- increased physical activity;
- bad habits;
- wound infection;
- chronic and infectious diseases in a patient, etc.d.
90,013 old age;
Symptoms. It is unlikely that someone can fail to notice the divergence of the seam. The main symptoms are redness, swelling, sharp pain accompanied by bleeding, etc. At this stage, it is not so important to find out the cause of the seam divergence. The main thing is to solve the problem and figure out what to do.
Actions in case of seam divergence. First of all, you need to postpone panic until later. In a state of stress, you are unlikely to be able to tune in to the right actions.Remember, suture divergence after surgery is not considered a serious complication. But if the wound is bleeding, and the tissues around it are swollen or reddened, an urgent need to contact a surgeon or a specialized clinic. The best solution is to go to your doctor immediately. It is he who can quickly and effectively eliminate this trouble. To begin with, the doctor will examine the condition of the wound and only then will he decide whether additional studies, computed tomography or a blood test are needed.Computed tomography is most often used to determine the site of accumulation of pus.
Remember that only qualified professionals can help you with timely medical attention. Do not let things take their course and do not self-medicate.
What will happen? If the number of discrepancies is small and the wound is shallow, then after anesthesia, sutures are again applied to it. However, if inflammatory processes have begun in the wound, it is recommended to wait until it is completely healed.To speed up this process, the wound must be treated with special ointments and solutions – this contributes to the rapid healing of the edges. After the wound has completely healed, its damaged edges are excised. After all the stages, secondary sutures are applied to the area of the wound with excised surfaces.
In order to remove infection and inflammation, it is recommended to carefully look after the damaged area. Usually, treatment of the wound with special antiseptic agents is prescribed. Do not peel off the gauze bandage from your skin.It is recommended that you simply soak it in a 3% hydrogen peroxide solution and it will go away by itself.
Each case of seam divergence is very individual. Therefore, the treatment is prescribed by the surgeon, depending on the characteristics of your body and the size of the wound. Sometimes the doctor thinks that the best solution is not to re-suture, but to leave the wound to heal. In this case, the surgeon advises flushing it with chlorhexidine or hydrogen peroxide. However, if the case is serious and the wound is deep, the specialist will re-suture.
Wound care. Remember all the recommendations that the doctor gave after the first operation? They remain valid. Do not keep the wound closed all the time, it will not heal faster from this. For early healing, the wound needs air. Therefore, sometimes the bandage needs to be removed. After surgery, the patient is often prescribed multivitamins. Do not forget about them, because after surgery, immunity is weakened, and vitamins will help strengthen the body.
Of course, seam divergence is not the most pleasant moment. However, no one is immune from such a nuisance. Remember that in most cases the discrepancy can be avoided if the doctor’s recommendations are followed. Keep the dressing clean, try to prevent infection from getting into the wound. It is necessary not only to monitor hygiene, but also to treat the seams with antiseptic drugs. These simple tips will help in the future to prevent such a nuisance as seam divergence.
Lyubov Nikolaevna Gower – plastic surgeon, Ph.m. n.
Wound after surgery dropsy – Question for a pediatric urologist
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Veterinary clinic in Nizhny Novgorod
“I express my deep gratitude to the ophthalmologist Yakob Zelimovich for the treatment of our Staffordshire Bull Terrier. We turned to Cat Matroskin after a fruitless, expensive, many months visit to another clinic, where they refused further treatment,” can only be saved by a complicated and expensive operation in Moscow, in our city no one will help you for sure! ”
Now I can confidently say that we also have highly qualified specialists, everything was done without surgery and the eyes were saved! I would like to note that the doctor very easily explains what stages of treatment we go through and what each medicine is needed for.Due to the lost time, we still have a long treatment, but the eye is open and sees!
We were in the branches on Rodionova and Kirovskaya, reception on time, friendly staff, no imposition of expensive drugs or services.
Thanks for your work!
Svetlana
“Special thanks to the doctor Rostovshchikova Irina Yurievna for the saved life of our pet Dick. Thank you very much !!!
Vladimir
” Good afternoon! Thanks to the specialists of this clinic! For a long time they could not cure the cat from lichen.In addition to the main treatment, the doctor advised to treat the house with Tristel Fuse for surfaces. It turns out that it is important not only to cure the cat, but also to treat the house. To prevent re-infection. After treatment, the healing process was noticeably accelerated.
Evgeniy
“We express our deep gratitude to Olga Sergeevna Belova. Thank you for your professionalism and indifference!
Svetlana
” Special thanks to the doctor Rostovshchikova Irina Yurievna for the saved life of our pet Dick.Thank you very much!!!
Vladimir
“Our beloved doctor Belova Olga Sergeevna. A great professional in her field !!!! Always competently selects the treatment. The best veterinarian!
Anna
” We were on the sterilization operation on October Ave. Before the operation, they examined us and told everything in detail, they also made a hidden seam (it does not need to be removed), which is much better for the animal and does not need to be taken to the clinic for removal. After a couple of days, the bandage was removed and the cat felt great.Thank you very much, I recommend it to everyone !!!
Irina
“I express my gratitude to your clinic for help in treating our cat. Special thanks to Anastasia Filippova for her attention, responsiveness and professionalism. An excellent specialist in her field and a good person.
Daria
” I express HUGE THANKS to Olga Belova! !! A very kind and animal-loving person !!!
06/06/2018 for the first time turned to this veterinary clinic for the castration of a cat.Olga Sergeevna immediately made a positive impression on us, as a person who knows and loves her profession. The question of in whose hands to give your pet for surgery has disappeared by itself !!! Thank you very much, Olga Sergeevna !!!
Elena
“We express our deep gratitude to all the staff of the clinic on Kirovskaya 8A for our Kuzya. For the second time we left him at the hotel in this branch for more than 10 days. At first we were very worried about how everything would go, but our fears were in vain.Kuzya was very pleased and did not even want to leave the hotel, so he fell in love with everyone who looked after him, both the doctors and the administrator and doctors’ assistants. The team is very professional and friendly. Many thanks to all, we will definitely come back to you again. Kuzya says hello.
Elena
“They left two kitties in the hotel during their vacation. The old cats, 17 and 16 years old, never gave them to anyone, during the holidays they always stayed at home and were fed by our grandmothers.That is, the cats were taken from the familiar environment for the first time. We were very worried about how everything would go … Everything went well, we received photos of their pets 🙂 Upon arrival home, the cats quickly adapted to their native environment. We express our deep gratitude to the cat hotel Kot Matroskin and personally to the administrator Marina Pletneva!
Alexey
“Thank you very much, Ekaterina Yurievna and the rest of the girls!
Ekaterina Yurievna is a very good specialist! I did everything carefully! Worried about my dog, like her own! I highly recommend it!
Anna
“Many thanks to the clinic doctor Elena Raskova and her assistant Anton.She brought her cat in critical condition. As it turned out, he had heart problems. The doctor immediately warned that the cat was in a borderline state and took up his emergency resuscitation. They practically did not leave Alik. They were interrupted only for the reception of other patients of the clinic. Elena and Anton constantly monitored his condition and, if necessary, provided him with medication.
Elena and Anton were determined to put the cat on its paws.
When you go to the doctors for help, it is very important that you, your pet, are simply treated humanly at the moment when it is needed most of all.And I am very grateful for this and for the fact that we got to these specialists.
Julia
“We were here for the first time on 12/21/19 with a puppy of a sneeze at 2 months old, got a comprehensive vaccination, everything was at the highest level and claws were cut for free. Thank you.
Alexey
” 15, doctor Anokhina Ekaterina Yurievna. I really liked the professional approach to work and the sensitive attitude towards the pet of the whole family. Thank you so much, all the best and prosperity!
Vasily
“There were 14.12 at a reception with Nina Alexandrovna Shatarova with a dog – French Bulldog. We are atopic, and have probably already visited all the clinics of Nizhny, in search of a good doctor, so that they do not get ridiculous sums of money out of our pockets and heal adequately .. The doctor consulted us for about an hour, took smears, wool. this is how to live now, we picked up food, medications are inexpensive .. in general, now Lord and I are only there .. he really liked it .. and the receptionist girl and the doctor herself) Thank you for the reception, girls!
Anastasia Grigorieva
“Hello!
I would like to thank the staff at the clinic.Kirovskaya for her attentive and sensitive attitude to my cat. We were at your appointment on November 5 (doctor Maria Yuryevna and assistant Alena) – Margo’s cat was spayed, I think you remember us) … after the operation, they told how to care for, what to pay attention to, about food and feed .. The girls are great! For prices – not expensive and not cheap – something average .. but a mean pays twice .. We will bring a cat to you, soon) THANKS !!
Vasily
“We would like to express our gratitude to the doctor of the clinic on Rodionov N. Shatarova.A.
We have been visiting the clinic for several years, and thanks to the professionalism and caring attitude of Nina Alexandrovna, assistance was provided to our animals. Plus, Nina Alexandrovna will never refuse to consult over the phone. Thanks to you from us and our Chihuahua Alice.
Elena
“I want to express my deep gratitude to doctors Natalya Igorevna and Roman (I did not remember the middle name) for sterilizing the cat on 12/17/18 on Beketova
When I was present, they examined the kitty and underwent anesthesia, took her away only in the evening, the cat felt great.We thought that he would get away from anesthesia while lying down, but in the morning the cat ate and went to the latok herself.
And there are reviews about the poor cleanliness and sterility of the clinic – this is nonsense. Many human hospitals are not in the same order as there. I didn’t notice anything terrible 🙂 Thanks again !!!
Lisa
“A good clinic, we constantly went to Anna Valerievna. It’s a pity that she was transferred. We’ll have to look for another specialist.
Dmitry
” I want to express my deep gratitude to doctors Natalya Igorevna and Roman (I did not remember the middle name) for sterilizing the cat 17 …12.18 to Beketova
When I was present, they examined the kitty and underwent anesthesia, took her away only in the evening, the cat felt great. We thought that he would get away from anesthesia while lying down, but in the morning the cat ate and went to the latok herself.
And there are reviews about the poor cleanliness and sterility of the clinic – this is nonsense. Many human hospitals are wrong
oh, how is it there. I didn’t notice anything terrible 🙂 Thanks again !!!
lisa
“At the end of November, our cat Yasya was spayed in this clinic.We were very worried, because the character of the pet is wayward. Doctors found an approach to our wild beast and competently advised on all our numerous questions. We were satisfied with the service and would like to express our gratitude to all the staff of the clinic!
Evgeniya
“I would like to express my gratitude to Maria Yurievna Karezina! And also to the assistant of this clinic! These are high-class specialists! They provided emergency assistance to our cat in a short time. They calmed not only the pet, but also us.After the operation, they explained everything intelligibly, reaped valuable advice. Now on any question – only to this doctor. The prices are very reasonable!
Alena
“They came with a dog complaining of pain in the ear. The doctor took tests and the next day she called back and prescribed treatment. Everything went well, they dripped in, and the smell went away, and the discharge … The doctor called back a week later and another once asked about the dog’s health … Thank you ..
Marina
“We would like to thank Nina Aleksandrovna for her good, high-quality work.A very responsible, experienced, patient, empathetic and sympathetic doctor. We have two Maine Coon cats, we have enough worries and troubles with them, and for a year now we have been treated only by Nina Aleksandrovna. She sterilized the cat very carefully, she always does all the vaccinations and injections very carefully and painlessly. Now we are treating the kitty for cystitis and we get complete information about the course of treatment, the etiology of the disease, and the medications taken. Nina Aleksandrovna really pays full attention to animals. We recommend it to everyone. An experienced doctor and a professional in his field 10 out of 10!
Masha + Sasha
“Good day! We would like to express our gratitude to the doctor of the clinic on Rodionov N. Shatarova.A.
We have been visiting the clinic for several years, and thanks to the professionalism and caring attitude of Nina Alexandrovna, assistance was provided to our animals. Plus, Nina Alexandrovna will never refuse to consult over the phone. Thanks to you from us and our Chihuahua Alice.
Elena
“I would like to express my deep gratitude to the employees of the branch on Beketov Street, and especially to the doctor Sizginova M.G. for the high professionalism, sensitivity, patience shown in the treatment of our no longer young (9 years old) pet – the cat Masha.Thank you so much, our pussy feels great. Now we are your regular customers!
Olga
“We contacted for the first time, they cut the cat from the tangles. Thank you very much! So wonderful, we have a young lioness! Before the operation, they examined us and told everything in detail, they also made a hidden seam (it does not need to be removed), which is much better for the animal and does not need to be taken to the clinic for removal.After a couple of days, the bandage was removed and the cat felt great. Thank you very much, I recommend it to everyone !!!
Irina
“Good day!
Yesterday we were at the doctor’s appointment Ekaterina Yurievna Anokhina – a very attentive doctor .. We have an old cat, a pensioner already .. 14 years old .. and a full bouquet of sores. paws .. and about the claws will remind you that you need to cut … a very kind doctor! And drugs, if prescribed, are affordable..not for 2 thousand, as in other clinics .. Although we live on Nartova, we only go to this branch.
Potapova Vera Mikhailovna
“Thank you very much for your work
Vasily
” I want to express my deep gratitude and appreciation to the entire team of the clinic on the street. Kirovskaya, 8a. We recently performed three operations on our cats. They did castration for the cat, as well as sterilization of the cat and the kitten, and the plastic of the kitten’s nose. We were very worried, but thanks to the experience and professionalism of the doctors, everything went great.The doctor Tasoity Ya.Z. operated on. We will recommend this clinic to everyone.
Yana
“I would like to leave many words of gratitude to Maria Karezina. A wonderful, sensitive and very animal-loving doctor and specialist in his field! Anxiously treats every four-legged friend, very attentive! My cat did not feel a single gram of excitement next to her, animals are all feel. And also thanks to her assistant Daria Belova for her tenderness, attitude and care! You are great fellows and thank you for your work!
Elena
“In October we were received by the doctor Alexandra. Before the operation, they examined us and told everything in detail, they also made a hidden seam (it does not need to be removed), which is much better for the animal and does not need to be taken to the clinic for removal. After a couple of days, the bandage was removed and the cat felt great. Thank you very much, I recommend it to everyone !!!
Irina
“I would like to express my gratitude to Maria Yurievna Karezina! And also to the assistant of this clinic! These are high-class specialists! They provided urgent assistance to our cat in a short time.They calmed not only the pet, but also us. After the operation, they explained everything intelligibly, reaped valuable advice. Now on any question – only to this doctor. The prices are very reasonable!
Alena
“I would like to express my deep gratitude to the doctor of the veterinary clinic” Kot Matroskin “Lopatina AA Alexandra Andreevna quickly identified the cause of the disease in our cat. as soon as possible.During the treatment, we repeatedly came to the control, which did not reveal the formation of new foci. Less than a month and the kitty is healthy. Many thanks to Lopatina A.A. – a master of her craft.
Roman
“My cat got
at the beginning of May 2019
erosion on the left eye. At first, the eye was squinted (this was the case before, since I have two cats and they often fight) Well, squinted and squinted, drops of IRIS began to drip out of habit. I drip for three days, I see that it won’t help. I am going to clinic number 1 (I will not slander anyone, but believe me, this is KINO.In clinic # 1, I am prescribed tsiprovet.
I drip for several days, there is no improvement. At some point I see on the cornea (as it seemed to me then) as if a hair had stuck, trying to remove IT, nifiga. I call the clinic near my house, let’s call it number 2. To my question: “can they remove adhered hair from a cat’s eye, a man’s voice tells me ATTENTION !!!:” This is only under anesthesia, you understand, this is an eye “
I almost fell off my chair. I called the clinic number 1 and told about the “hair” / then went to them.They washed it out, rubbed it with a bandage, the “hair” was not washed off.
Then the doctor gave me the following: (spelling and all the words are saved): “This is a scratch on the cornea. It’s okay, it will heal, the eye will grow dim, the wound will heal and, most likely, the cat will go blind in one eye” AND ADDED: “Nothing, with one eye and people live” . The movie continues. Prescribed drops and injections for us (for resorption)
We underwent medical treatment for three days. Zero effect. The eye does not open. In short, I’m digging the Internet, looking for a luminary in ophthalmology. I find it.The girl is 25 years old. I come to the clinic number 3. Drops and injections from clinic # 1 are being canceled. prescribe a lot of all sorts of drops, injections, pills.
Take from TWO !!! paws a lot of blood. They make a MEDICINE from it + some kind of medicine, by mixing in some kind of apparatus. They put us a preliminary diagnosis – corneal erosion. Then we are treated for about three weeks. We come once a week, drip the eye with apparently anesthetic, clean it of dead epithelium. The cat yells all over the area (looking ahead, I want to accuse this doctor of inexperience, because later I learned that after a drop you have to wait at least 5 minutes for anesthesia worked) In short, after three weeks the girl offered us to sew up the third eyelid.And then I decided to try my luck again. I must say right away that once I lost a cat (in 2011) and despite the fact that I still want to blame the doctor and say that the clinic is SUCH shit and the doctors are the same, but I still can’t really talk about everything clinic talk. And now our eye has grown dim, it does not open. A pitiful sight. My family and I have not found a place for ourselves for almost two months now. And then on the Internet I find information about an ophthalmologist from Matroskin’s cat. Were treated for a long time.
Drops were dripped 6-8 times a day, four types of drops + injections and pills.The eye is overgrown with blood vessels.
To be honest, I was already beginning to despair.
The eye, despite two and a half months of “killer” treatment, turned into a cloudy, almost closed, with a network of vessels that have grown into the cornea. At some point, the doctor even said: “I don’t even know what else to come up with.” At that moment, it became absolutely shitty.