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Had Finger Laceration. On Dissolvable Sutures, Medical Glue. Wound Healed. Sutures Still Present, Need To Remove?
I had a finger laceration 16 days ago and received 5 dissolvable sutures. The laceration was caused by a steak knife and is on the right side of my left index finger (think left handed person holding a pencil). I can tell that the wound has almost fully healed, there has been absolutely no discharge. They had also used medical super glue (for lack of better term). The sutures have not begun to dissolve at all, I'm guessing the "glue" kept most of the moisture from that process as it did not come off for roughly 10 days. Could it be alright to remove the sutures as if they were normal ones that needed removing?
Thu, 9 May 2013
Hello and welcome to HCM,
For injuries of skin of hands, feet, and other areas conventional sutures are used.
Dis-solvable sutures are used for injuries of the intestine, viscera, etc. because it is difficult to reopen the abdomen, chest, or any other body cavity again.
The sutures on the skin can be easily removed 7-10 days after the injury.
However, in order to avoid infection of the sutures, a course of antibiotics and topical application of antibiotic cream should be applied on the injury site.
Thanks and take care
Dr Shailja P Wahal
For injuries of skin of hands, feet, and other areas conventional sutures are used.
Dis-solvable sutures are used for injuries of the intestine, viscera, etc. because it is difficult to reopen the abdomen, chest, or any other body cavity again.
The sutures on the skin can be easily removed 7-10 days after the injury.
However, in order to avoid infection of the sutures, a course of antibiotics and topical application of antibiotic cream should be applied on the injury site.
Thanks and take care
Dr Shailja P Wahal
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