How Long Does It Typically Take to Remove Sutures?

Factors such as the nature of the surgical incision and its location can lead to uncertainty in the timing of suture removal after surgery. Therefore, determining when sutures can be removed after surgery requires consideration of many factors. Typically, sutures are removed around 14 days for aseptic surgical incisions, while the timing for sutures in contaminated surgical incisions depends on the healing of the wound.

Aseptic Surgical Incisions: Aseptic surgical incisions are generally performed on patients who have undergone elective surgery, such as bone tumor, closed fractures, neurovascular surgery, etc. The characteristics of aseptic surgery are that the surgery is performed under the condition that the surgeon is fully prepared, with intact skin in the surgical area, no damage or injury, and sufficient preoperative disinfection. Since this type of surgery is always performed under aseptic conditions, it is generally not prone to infection, and sutures are removed around 14 days.

Contaminated Surgical Incisions: Many open wounds such as open fractures and skin defects have already been in contact with contaminants before arriving at the hospital. These incisions are generally considered contaminated surgical incisions. After debridement and thorough flushing, if primary suturing is performed, the timing of suture removal depends on the healing of the wound. If the wound heals to the primary stage after treatment, the timing of suture removal is the same as for aseptic surgical incisions. If there is local non-healing or exudate in the contaminated wound, the timing of suture removal should be extended for about one week. After dressing changes, the unhealed incision will heal, and then sutures can be removed.