Suture Care

Bad Bugs Slideshow

• Suture Care Introduction
• Suture Home Care
• When to Call the Doctor
• When to Go to the Hospital
• Physician Diagnosis
• Physician Treatment for Suture Care
• Prognosis
• Synonyms and Keywords
• References
• Authors and Editors

Suture Care Introduction

Sutures, or stitches, are the most commonly used method to fix a cut or wound. Other methods are skin adhesives or glue, Steri-Strips or butterfly bandages, or even leaving skin openings alone in some cases.

• Sometimes, a very contaminated or dirty wound is left alone for a few days with a plan to repair it with stitches later.
  
  
• These methods of closing a wound are performed only after thorough irrigation, or washing, of the laceration and exploration and removal of any foreign debris or dirt.
  
  
• When applicable, sutures are used to close the wound. Suture material is classified as absorbable or nonabsorbable.
  
  
  • Absorbable sutures dissolve over time.
    
    
  • Nonabsorbable sutures need to be removed within a time specified by your doctor.