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Does A Non-absorbable Suture Dissolve On Its Own?

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Posted on Mon, 3 Apr 2017
Question: Hi

I was out at my farm for two weeks and left stiches in too long on my cut finger - there is no infection I got most of the stitches out but there is at least one buried - should I see a doctor or will it dissolve (these are the kind that don't dissolve)

thanks
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Answered by Dr. Bonnie Berger-Durnbaugh (2 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Need to get these out.

Detailed Answer:
Hello,

There are two kinds of suture material - the absorbable kind and the non-absorbable kind. On a cut finger, for superficial stitches, the doctor would have use the non-absobable kind. So, no, it will not dissolve.

If left in too long, the body can react to the the suture material as "foreign" and become red and swollen. Having it in also increases the risk of infection.

So, I strongly recommend that you go in to a clinic or doctor's appointment to get the remaining stitches removed. An urgent care clinic should be able to remove them if you can't get in to see your own doctor promptly. If at least one is buried, I don't advise digging for it as that cancers further trauma and increase the risk of infection.

I hope this answers your question. Please let me know if I can provide further information.

Note: For further inquiries on surgery procedure and its risks or complications book an appointment now
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. Bonnie Berger-Durnbaugh

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :1991

Answered : 3133 Questions

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Does A Non-absorbable Suture Dissolve On Its Own?

Brief Answer: Need to get these out. Detailed Answer: Hello, There are two kinds of suture material - the absorbable kind and the non-absorbable kind. On a cut finger, for superficial stitches, the doctor would have use the non-absobable kind. So, no, it will not dissolve. If left in too long, the body can react to the the suture material as "foreign" and become red and swollen. Having it in also increases the risk of infection. So, I strongly recommend that you go in to a clinic or doctor's appointment to get the remaining stitches removed. An urgent care clinic should be able to remove them if you can't get in to see your own doctor promptly. If at least one is buried, I don't advise digging for it as that cancers further trauma and increase the risk of infection. I hope this answers your question. Please let me know if I can provide further information.