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Dissolvable stitches are perfect for wounds as they don’t require removal. Cultura RM Exclusive/KaPe Schmid / Getty Images/Image SourceFor centuries, various medical professionals, including dentists, oral surgeons, plastic surgeons, obstetricians, urologists, and even veterinarians, have used stitches to close cuts, gashes, and surgical incisions. Today, many doctors use dissolvable stitches (or absorbable sutures) for stitching wounds.
One of the advantages of dissolvable stitches is their ability to be used on both internal and external wounds. So, how long does it take for stitches to dissolve?
Features of Stitches
Stitches, whether dissolvable or non-dissolvable, come with three key features:
- Thickness: Some stitches are required to be thin, ideal for minor cuts, plastic surgery, or wounds that need to heal with minimal scarring. Others need to be thicker for internal wounds or when scarring isn't as much of a concern. To make a thicker stitch, more material is woven together. Thinner stitches use less material.
- Elasticity: Stitches placed on the knee should have more elasticity compared to those on the forearm, as the knee must bend. Without sufficient elasticity, stitches may snap, become undone, or tear the wound, slowing down the healing process.
- Decomposition rate: A large, deep wound requires a longer healing time, so the stitches must last longer. Manufacturers design stitches to dissolve either gradually or quickly, depending on the healing period needed for the specific injury.
Understanding Dissolvable Stitches
Dissolvable stitches are distinct from nonabsorbable ones because they:
- The body naturally breaks down these materials.
- They are typically temporary and don't require a follow-up visit to a doctor for stitch removal or wound inspection.
To your body, stitches are an alien object, and the body has a natural defense mechanism to break down foreign materials. Absorbable stitches are made from natural substances, such as processed collagen (from animal intestines), silk, and hair, along with certain synthetic polymers that the body can metabolize.
This process enables the body to gradually dissolve the stitches. Typically, by the time the stitches have dissolved, the wound has healed completely.
How Long Does It Take for Stitches to Dissolve?
The time required for dissolvable stitches to break down varies based on the material. For instance, stitches used in oral surgeries, like wisdom tooth extractions, typically dissolve within a week, whereas stitches from a cesarean section may take several weeks to fully dissolve.
Ideally, the suture material should remain intact until the wound has completely healed. Be sure to follow your doctor's guidance on post-care instructions.
When Dissolvable Stitches Don't Dissolve
Sometimes, a stitch may not fully dissolve and might need to be removed. This generally happens when part of the stitch remains outside the body. In this case, the body's fluids are unable to break down the stitch, leaving it intact. The remaining portion can be easily extracted by a doctor once the wound is healed.
More Great Links
- Infection Control Today: The Role of Sutures in Wound Healing
- Wound Closure Technique
