How Many Days Does It Typically Take to Remove Sutures After a Minor Surgery?

Update Date: 2024-05-27 Source: Network

Minor surgeries generally require suture removal in 5 to 14 days, depending on the specific surgical site and the patient's physical condition. Typically, suture removal for surgeries on the head, face, and neck is performed 5 days after the operation, while for chest surgeries, it is around 7 days. For abdominal surgeries, suture removal is done between 7 to 8 days postoperatively, and for surgeries on the arms and legs, it takes about 14 days. If the patient has poor nutrition or diabetes, the suture removal time may need to be extended. In some cases, sutures may even need to be removed in two stages to prevent wound dehiscence after suture removal. Suture removal is generally only mildly painful and does not require anesthesia.

However, it does not mean that the wound is fully healed after suture removal. It is only a preliminary healing stage, and excessive force on the incision can easily cause dehiscence. Therefore, it is important to protect the wound during this period and avoid excessive activity. Especially after abdominal surgeries, patients should avoid coughing hard, straining during bowel movements, and using excessive force when urinating to prevent wound dehiscence. Removing sutures too late can irritate the needle holes and lead to inflammation or even infection, which is detrimental to wound healing and can affect aesthetics.

After surgery, doctors usually advise patients to avoid contact with water, such as showering, for at least a week after suture removal to prevent wound infection. Infection can delay wound repair. Additionally, doctors recommend a bland diet and maintaining cleanliness and hygiene around the wound during the postoperative period. While showering is generally not recommended until the wound has healed well, patients can shower if the wound has healed satisfactorily. However, they should avoid vigorously scrubbing the wound. The wound should only be exposed to water when it has healed, as exposure to water when the wound is not healed can easily lead to infection and affect healing.

It is advisable for patients to wait until the blood crusts have fallen off before showering and to avoid exposing the wound to water prematurely to prevent infection and unnecessary harm.