How long does it take for internal sutures to dissolve? How long does it take for different types of stitches to heal?

30.09.2019

A frequent complication is rupture of soft tissues during pushing and the birth of the baby. The situation in each case is individual, depending on the elasticity of the uterus and vagina, the size of the fetus and its correct attachment. If stitches cannot be avoided, daily care is necessary to promote rapid healing.

Self-absorbing sutures: advantages

Postpartum sutures can be divided into internal and external. Internal ones are applied for rupture of the cervix and vaginal walls. The cause is rapid labor, large fetuses and incomplete dilatation of the uterus.

Self-absorbable sutures are mainly used for internal organ injuries.

Access to the sutures is difficult and repeated intervention is not advisable. The resorption time directly depends on the composition of the threads. Materials are considered absorbable when their strength is lost within 30-60 days. There is an influence of water and proteins on the composition of the cross-linking fabric.

For stitching use:

Catgut threads disappear from 30 to 120 days, depending on the thickness of the material.
Lavsan – from 20 to 50 days.
Vicryl – 50-80 days.

Self-absorbing sutures do not require additional processing. In a month they will resolve on their own. You just need to maintain personal hygiene and avoid sexual relations for 2 months, do not carry heavy objects and promptly prevent problems with bowel movements. Doctors recommend taking one tablespoon vegetable oil before meals to facilitate the process of passing stool.

How long do sutures take to heal after childbirth: a pressing issue for women in labor

External sutures after childbirth are applied when the posterior commissure is torn or when the perineum is dissected. An episiotomy is a surgical incision made to prevent vaginal rupture and free passage of the fetus during complicated labor. Suturing an even incision is less painful and better quality. Natural tears take a long time to heal and look less aesthetically pleasing.

Indications for surgical incision:

The threat of rupture of the perineum, which is diagnosed visually when the tissue is strongly stretched to the point of transparency. May occur in pregnant women diabetes mellitus, skin diseases, dry epidermis.
To facilitate pushing for pregnant women with pathologies of the cardiovascular system.
Abnormal bleeding, to speed up the birth process.
Premature birth.
Large fruit.
First multiple pregnancy.
Threat of fetal injury due to incorrect breech presentation.

An episio cut is much better than a burst wound. Smooth edges are easier to stitch, matching them as physiologically as possible. The suture heals faster without suppuration and swelling. Nylon, vicryl, and silk threads are usually applied to the external seams. They do not dissolve on their own, but provide a strong connection between the edges of the wound and the suture does not separate.

Wounds heal within 10-14 days, if there were no complications.

All this time, the woman will experience pain when walking, sitting down, or defecating. Many women are concerned about the question: how long will it take for the stitches to be removed? Usually the procedure is carried out 5-7 days after surgery, with normal healing.

How to heal stitches faster after childbirth: standard rules

In most cases, internal seams do not bother a woman. Special attention given to external wounds. To heal stitches faster, you need to follow some rules. For the first 3 days, you need to wash with warm water every 2 hours. Carry out care with a sterile, lint-free towel, only dabbing. Treat the perineum with brilliant green or potassium permanganate; these procedures are carried out by a nurse in the maternity hospital. Change postpartum pads frequently. Wear comfortable underwear made from natural materials.

To prevent the seam from coming apart, it is prohibited:

Sit down for the first 10 days;
Lift weights other than your child for 60 days;
Be sexually active for a month;
Comb out the seams.

After a few days, the woman in labor can sit, first on one buttock, then lean completely on a chair. It is necessary to ensure gentle bowel movements. To do this, strictly monitor your diet, avoiding constipation. It is also not recommended to shave until the scarring is complete. This procedure can cause severe irritation on the labia, which in turn leads to inflammation of the suture tissue, severe itching and suppuration.

The method of performing a cesarean section affects wound healing. This procedure is considered a strip operation, and pain may persist for several months.

In emergency surgery, the incision is made vertically, from the navel to the pubis. In this case, the walls are sewn up abdominals, which makes the recovery period quite long. A horizontal suture with cosmetic suturing of the wound is more gentle. This incision looks much better and is practically invisible after scarring. After the operation, painkillers are prescribed. You can't keep track. The next day the woman should get up. Movement helps improve blood circulation, promotes contraction of the uterus and better healing of birth sutures.

How to treat sutures after childbirth: antiseptics and painkillers

It is necessary to care for sutures in the postoperative period even after discharge from the hospital. Treatment of seams at home is carried out with hydrogen peroxide and various creams: Bepanten, Solcoseryl, Levomekol. The seam on the abdomen can be treated with brilliant green, applying the drug around the wound for 3 weeks.

A special bandage, which can be purchased at orthopedic stores, will help speed up recovery.

Many women note that the stitches hurt for a long time, especially after a cesarean section and perineal rupture. The emotional state of women in labor during this period is extremely unstable, which can affect lactation. Rectal and vaginal suppositories will help to numb aching wounds: Diclofenac, Ketanol, Voltoren. You need to find out which drug is best to use from your supervising doctor.

If the wound is not properly cared for, some complications may occur:

Supuration of the suture. If severe pain appears when hydrogen peroxide is applied, the wounds are pinched, pulled, and yellowish discharge comes out of them, this indicates that the suture has festered. Symptoms may be accompanied by an increase in body temperature. The scar festers due to improper hygiene or due to a birth infection. The specialist will prescribe additional treatment using antibacterial drugs.
Seams coming apart. The situation may arise in the first days after surgery or after removal of sutures. Tissues can separate for several reasons: early sitting, too sudden movements, poor connection of the wound, infection. If the stitches come apart at home, the main thing is to contact a surgeon in time. If necessary, the doctor will re-incise and stitch the wound.
Suture inflammation. Painful sensations in the first days after childbirth operations are normal. When the threads are removed, but it hurts to stand, sit and pulls in the stitches, the wounds may have become inflamed. This requires the help of a specialist.

If, after returning home, the wound is bleeding, the scar is swollen, the area around it looks red, purulent discharge or lumps appear, you need to be examined by a gynecologist. Postpartum complications require immediate treatment. Inattention to the body can lead to purulent inflammation or blood poisoning.

Perineum after childbirth: forecasts for the future

For perineal ruptures, as well as episiotomies, sutures are placed immediately after childbirth. To prevent an inflammatory process from occurring, it is necessary to match the wounds as accurately as possible. If the tissues are poorly sutured, their rupture, suppuration and a long recovery period are possible. The healing process depends on the suture materials used. In rare cases, patients complain of itching in the perineum. The cause may be an allergic reaction to thread materials.

For each woman, the recovery process is individual. For some, the scars stop hurting after 5-6 weeks, for others it takes months. Many women in labor cannot understand why the scars itch. If there is no severe pain, the condition is normal. The scar itches as it heals. To relieve itching, you need to wash yourself with cool water more often. Experts recommend doing special contraction Kegel exercises, which help restore the vaginal muscles.

Some women are interested in what product will help smooth out external scars. Doctors often prescribe Contractubex ointment, which they begin to apply after the stitch has healed. Feedback from women in labor showed that the gel can improve the cosmetic effect of scars, making them lighter and less noticeable. At caesarean section, cosmetic incisions will not be externally visible after 8-12 months.

How to treat stitches after childbirth (video)

Maintaining hygiene, following medical recommendations and an optimistic attitude contribute to positive dynamics for tissue splicing. Soon the wounds will heal, the swelling on the leg will go down, and the woman will be able to fully enjoy maternal happiness.

The postpartum period for a woman is not always “cloudless”. Other troubles are added to the daily worries about the little man. It all depends on the course of labor. IN Lately and or incisions during childbirth will surprise few people. The result of these “procedures” are stitches, which raise many questions among new mothers. Particularly “unpredictable” and “mysterious” are internal seams. It’s understandable, because outer seam You can always touch or even see, but the internal seams are covered in “darkness.”

How did they appear?

Let's first remember what internal seams are and where they come from. Cause of internal sutures - or vaginal walls. Most often, the tissue of the cervix “tears” when the cervix opens slowly and the woman begins to push prematurely, that is, push out the fetus. Almost every woman experiences premature labor, but they need to be “held back” in every possible way until the cervix is fully dilated. When pushing, the fetal head puts strong pressure on the cervix, and if it has not yet fully opened, it simply ruptures. For the same reason, the walls of the vagina may rupture.

Internal breaks are not always noticeable. However, after childbirth, each doctor carefully examines the woman in labor and provides her with the necessary assistance for ruptures, that is, applies stitches. This procedure is absolutely painless, because the cervix does not have pain receptors, so the woman is not given anesthesia. Sutures are performed in several ways, depending on the severity of the rupture, using special self-absorbable threads. Basically, catgood is used for this - a suture material made from the intestines of cattle or sheep - or vicryl.

What to do with them

Absolutely nothing. The only “pleasant” thing about internal seams is that they do not require special care, and do not need any ointments, douching, much less tablets. Since ruptures are sutured with self-absorbing sutures, there is no need to remove them. Over time, they “self-destruct.” When will this happen and how can you find out about it? It all depends on the suture material and the severity of the tear. Usually the threads dissolve completely after 90 days. But there are also those that “disappear” much earlier, but not before the damaged tissues have completely fused. Sometimes “remnants” of thread are noticeable on linen, but this is not the main indicator. Doctors say that there is no need to worry if you do not detect parts of the thread, but do not feel any other discomfort at all.

The main condition for quick and safe healing of internal stitches is personal hygiene. This includes both the cleanliness of the external genital organs and the entire body. Don't forget about your diet too. After all, constipation is extremely undesirable: unnecessary “pushing” adversely affects the condition of wounds that should “grow together.” A woman must also comply with the following requirements:

Do not lift heavy objects;
Do not make sudden movements, especially in the first days after childbirth;
Abstain from sexual intercourse for 1-2 months.

When to see a doctor

Many women complain of abdominal discomfort after internal sutures. Very often there is pain, a feeling of twitching and pulsation. In the first 2-3 days after birth, these phenomena are very normal, but if they continue, then you need to urgently consult a doctor. You also need to see a specialist immediately if you have:

Pain in the area of the sutures does not stop;
There is a feeling of heaviness in the uterus or vagina;
Body temperature rises;
Purulent discharge with an unpleasant odor appears.

All these symptoms may indicate either suture ruptures or inflammatory processes in the area of internal seams. In any case, the diagnosis, and even more so the treatment, must be prescribed by a doctor. You may be given either ice, ointments or antibiotics, or a repeat surgical procedure.

However, even if absolutely nothing bothers you postpartum period- There is no need to postpone a visit to the gynecologist. The doctor must “assess” the condition of the scars. If tissues do not heal properly or sutures break, most often the cervix becomes deformed, resulting in chronic inflammation of the cervix and other sores.

Comes after 3-6 months.

Patience and health to you!

Especially for- Tanya Kivezhdiy

Childbirth may be accompanied by ruptures of the tissues of the birth canal or special incisions made by the doctor. This procedure is called an episiotomy or perineotomy, depending on the direction of the incision. Wounds are carefully sutured, and sutures in the perineal area require special care.

Types of postpartum wounds

Vaginal birth may result in tissue from the cervix, vagina, or perineum. Injuries more often occur in altered tissues if there is acute or chronic inflammation. The cervix or vagina acquires a loose structure, the epithelium becomes thinner. Therefore, during childbirth, at the moment of friction, cracks or deeper tears occur. There is no way to prevent injury to the vagina or cervix. The only prevention is timely treatment of inflammatory diseases and correct behavior in childbirth.

Perineal ruptures can occur when the tissues are insufficiently elastic and the fetal head is large. An incised wound heals better than a lacerated one, a neat scar is formed and less risk complications or deep ruptures. Therefore, when signs of tissue spreading appear, the doctor makes an incision in the direction of the ischial tuberosity -.

Depending on the location of the wound, suture material is selected:

internal sutures are placed on the cervix and vaginal tissue, using absorbable catgut material;
external ones are done on the perineum with non-absorbable threads.

Features of cervical and vaginal ruptures

The cervix ruptures during rapid labor, a large baby, or in cases where the woman in labor begins to push while not fully dilated. Tears appear on the neck, altered by scar tissue after treatment of erosion and previous injuries. A rupture can be suspected by the appearance of a small amount of blood during childbirth. But most often they are discovered during an examination of the birth canal after the birth of the placenta.

Typical places for ruptures on the neck are at 3 and 9 o'clock on the conventional dial. Anesthesia is not needed during suturing; the tissues lose sensitivity. The doctor may apply continuous or separate interrupted sutures. The choice of technique depends on the depth of the rupture and individual characteristics wounds.

Vaginal tears are also found during examination. They can have different depths, but most often affect the integumentary tissue. Anesthesia is used for suturing. Local remedies are used in the form of an injection of Novocaine or Lidocaine. Self-absorbing sutures are applied. Their threads will come out naturally along with the discharge.

For deep vaginal ruptures, as well as for women who have undergone manual separation of the placenta or examination of the uterine cavity, the tissues are sutured under anesthesia.

How long after childbirth do stitches on the cervix or vagina dissolve?

It depends on individual characteristics, the depth of the rupture and the absence of complications. Most often, complete healing of the cervix takes 2-4 weeks, and the vagina - up to 3 weeks.

Wound after episiotomy

A neat incision in the perineum can have different depths. The length of the incision ranges from 4 cm. Sometimes the doctor cuts only the skin and subcutaneous tissue, this is enough for normal continuation of labor and prevention of rupture. But in severe cases, the incision affects the edge of the muscle. This affects the nature of the seams:

a small incision is closed with one row of sutures;
The deep incision is sutured in 2 stages: first, the deep tissues are connected with absorbable threads, then the skin is connected with non-absorbable threads.

Similar tactics for those who did not have time to warn. The provision of assistance differs if a deep rupture has formed that affects the tissue of the rectum. In this case, the help of proctologists or abdominal surgeons is required; the operation is performed under anesthesia.

Episiotomy and perineotomy differ in the direction of the incision

External sutures are applied in separate knots. The doctor begins to sew from the corner of the wound towards the vagina, matching its edges to form a vulvar ring. The number of nodes depends on the length of the wound.

Sometimes cosmetic sutures are applied using a continuous thread that is placed inside the skin in a zigzag pattern. After healing and removal of the stitches, the scar becomes almost invisible. But most often this type is used during cesarean section.

How long does it take for stitches to heal after an episiotomy?

The healing time is determined by the depth of the wound. The smaller the incision, the faster the tissue integrity is restored. The suture material is removed during the normal course of the postpartum period before discharge on the 5th day. But after ruptures and deep cuts, it may take up to 10 days. Then the nodes will be removed at the antenatal clinic or when visiting the emergency department of the maternity hospital.

But removing the threads does not mean the full formation of a scar; this process lasts for a month or more in case of deep wounds.

Features of wound care

Proper care of sutures helps to avoid infectious complications.

Internal wounds do not require special treatment. In some maternity hospitals, they are lubricated with a solution of potassium permanganate during examination on the chair, but most often doctors try not to interfere with the vagina during healing. This is accompanied by pain and increases the risk of infection.

The first treatment of postpartum sutures on the perineum is carried out in the delivery room, they are lubricated with a solution of brilliant green. After returning to the room and a short rest, the young mother should go to the shower and clean herself up. Plain water is enough without the use of soap or gels. The episiotomy area will hurt, this area is washed carefully and dried with a sterile diaper using blotting movements.

Wounds on the perineum require careful hygiene. During the first round, the doctor tells the postpartum woman how to care for the sutures after childbirth. To ensure that wounds dry out and anaerobic infection does not develop in them, constant access of air is necessary. It is recommended that a woman spend as much time as possible without underwear, lying on her back in bed with her knees bent. If there is a need for underwear, then you need to follow the following tips:

choose panties from natural fabrics;
use disposable panties made of non-woven materials;
use sterile pads or pads.

Sterile pads are changed after each visit to the toilet. in the first days there is a lot, so you can use urological pads. They are long and absorbent. The pads are changed every 3-4 hours so that the wound has minimal contact with vaginal discharge. Lochia is a breeding ground for bacteria that can cause complications.

In the maternity hospital they try to smear the seams with a solution of brilliant green. Some clinics use a strong solution of potassium permanganate; iodine is used very rarely for this procedure. The treatment is carried out daily by a nurse. During a daily round, the doctor must examine the sutures in order to monitor their healing and notice signs of complications in time.

Special treatment of sutures at home is not required unless otherwise prescribed by a doctor. It is enough to maintain hygiene, change pads and wash yourself after each visit to the toilet.

How much stitches hurt depends on the individual pain threshold. Severe pain in most women goes away within a few days. You can reduce it using a heating pad with ice or special chilled gel pads. For sensitive patients, irrigation with local anesthetics and anesthetic gels are prescribed for pain relief. Analgin or other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are used less frequently.

By the time of discharge, there may be a slight tingling sensation and a feeling of discomfort, but there should not be acute or unbearable pain. This is a sign of inflammation.

Lifestyle during healing

To prevent the tissue in the wound from spreading, doctors do not allow you to sit on your buttocks.

How long can you sit after giving birth with stitches?

The period depends on the size of the incision. Many doctors follow the old rule that the number of weeks corresponds to the number of stitches. Therefore, with a small incision that required 3 stitches, you cannot sit down for 3 weeks. Those who received 5 stitches need to lie down or stand for 5 weeks. The ban on sitting makes the way of life in the maternity hospital special:

the baby will have to be fed while lying on its side;
you need to get out of bed or an examination chair with an emphasis on lateral surface hips;
you need to eat while standing; in the canteens of maternity hospitals there are special high tables at chest level for this purpose;
At home, you will also have to eat standing or reclining.

You need to think about the moment of discharge from the maternity hospital and transportation home in advance. For a young mother, you will need an empty back seat of the car so that she can freely recline on her side.

Hygienic procedures during the healing of sutures are carried out after each visit to the toilet. If there is a bidet in the room, this makes washing up easier. In other cases, you need to use a shower. The water jet is directed from front to back. You should not try to pour it into the vagina or wash this area with your fingers. To wash the perineum, use a separate sponge, not intended for the rest of the body.

In the first month of the postpartum period, you should not lie in a hot bath; this is harmful to the contracting uterus and the scar on the perineum. The main way to wash is the shower.

Blot the perineum with a separate towel, which is changed each time after use.

After being discharged home, you should not immediately switch to lace, synthetic or shapewear underwear. It does not allow the body to breathe, and tight models disrupt microcirculation and impair healing.

After giving birth, women may have problems with bowel movements. Pain in the perineum also occurs after normal childbirth, and for those who have had an episiotomy, the discomfort is stronger. Therefore, many are afraid to empty their bowels.

The first urge to defecate appears on the 2-3rd day. They cannot be contained. Otherwise, the stool loses water, becomes compacted, and constipation occurs. Then going to the toilet will be much more painful.

If the desire to empty your bowels does not appear on your own or there is fear due to an episiotomy, you can use laxatives:

Castor oil;
lactulose solution (Duphalac);
microenemas Microlax.

An alternative to laxatives is a cleansing enema. It can be avoided by proper nutrition. Women are advised to exclude foods that contribute to the constipation of stool and the development of constipation:

baked goods, baked goods made from white flour;
potato;
strong tea.

IN daily diet there should be foods that contain fiber and can speed up the passage feces in the intestines:

vegetable oil;
prunes;
dried apricots;
beet;
bread with bran.

A young mother should eat a lot of vegetables and fruits, consume fermented milk products, lean meat, so that the stool remains normal. A nursing mother's need for fluid increases. Lack of water will lead to constipation and poor healing, so you need to drink 2-2.5 liters per day.

Removing threads

The suture material on the perineum is removed on the 5th day on the day of discharge, if there are no complications. The removal date will be delayed in case of deep tears or cuts in the tissue.

In case of ruptures of the cervix or vagina, the threads are not removed; they will dissolve on their own. Threads come out of the seam along with lochia. They can be seen on the pad a few weeks after birth.

Whether it hurts to remove stitches after an episiotomy is assessed subjectively by each woman. Some people feel a tingling or burning sensation.

The doctor removes the threads from the perineum during the examination before discharge or entrusts this to the midwife. To do this, use tweezers and sterile scissors. The procedure is carried out on a gynecological chair. Each knot is carefully lifted above the skin and one thread is trimmed, and the remainder is pulled out. At this moment, an unpleasant painful sensation may occur.

Cosmetic threads are removed differently. The retaining beads are cut off from the ends and carefully pulled out of the skin. This may also be accompanied by unpleasant sensations.

After removal, the wounds are treated with brilliant green.

Possible complications

The first complications may arise already in the maternity hospital. The most common conditions that occur are:

infectious;
hematoma;
divergence.

The appearance of redness in the wound area, swelling, and increased pain is a sign of infection. In the initial stage, physiotherapy is prescribed in the maternity hospital. The use of quartz treatment on a wound, ultraviolet or infrared irradiation is effective.

Sometimes a white coating appears on the seams. This is a sign of a fungal infection. To prevent the wound from becoming separated, it is necessary to treat it with antifungal ointments. Preparations based on Clotrimazole and Pimafucin are effective. They act locally.

If the sutures fester after childbirth, then antibiotics are necessary. Tactics depend on the severity of inflammation. In severe cases, the wound is opened under local anesthesia, the purulent contents are removed, and washed with antiseptic solutions:

furatsilin;
hydrogen peroxide;
potassium permanganate.

Sometimes wipes soaked in solutions of proteolytic enzymes are used. They help clean the surface of the wound and speed up healing. After treatment, the perineum heals by secondary intention without tightening the edges with threads.

If a vessel is damaged in the area of the episiotomy wound, blood may accumulate and a hematoma may form. Blood can accumulate in the labia area and soak into the tissue. The woman feels increased pain in the perineum, a feeling of fullness in the wound area. Large hematomas can put pressure on the rectum, bladder and make it difficult to go to the toilet. Body temperature remains normal.

Treatment for a hematoma depends on its size. For small sizes, apply an ice pack to the lesion. Large hematomas require surgical treatment.

Dehiscence of the edges of the scar may occur in the maternity hospital or after being admitted home. This condition only affects wounds on the perineum. Worries about whether the internal seams might come apart are in vain. Signs of a dangerous condition are as follows:

increased pain;
swelling;
the seams seem to be “pulling”;
redness in the wound area.

What to do if the seams come apart?

You need to tell your doctor about this. If symptoms appear in the maternity hospital, the tactics will depend on the duration and severity of the pathology. On days 1-2, the wound is treated with antiseptics and repeated stitches are applied. If there are signs of suppuration, antibiotics and wound cleansing are necessary. How to treat postpartum sutures in this case is decided individually. Antibiotic ointments and antiseptics can be used.

Women whose discrepancy occurred at home do not undergo re-suturing. They recommend treating with antiseptics, maintaining hygiene, and prescribing antibacterial drugs in the form of ointments.

2 weeks after giving birth, some young mothers begin to complain that the stitches itch. This symptom is a normal part of the wound healing process. If no additional signs of inflammation occur, then no special treatment is required.

Sutures are applied very often after the removal of a wisdom tooth, since this event is usually equated to an operation. Removing the eight can sometimes be very difficult. As a result, you have to cut the gum and sew it up after extracting the tooth.

The seams vary greatly in quality. They may resolve on their own or require specialist action in the future. In any case, after the operation it is necessary to check with the dental surgeon exactly what type of threads was used. But with the right approach, the specialist himself, without reminding the patient, will inform about the need for the next visit to remove the stitches.

Sutures are often used to remove a large dental problem such as a wisdom tooth. It is very difficult to rid the patient of this element without damaging the gums, so it is often necessary to additionally stitch the tissue.

Even with the most careful work of a dentist, it is difficult to get rid of a wisdom tooth without problems. It is located very deeply and is attached to the gum by two roots at once. To remove the outer teeth, the surgeon makes 1 or 2 incisions in the gum (see pictures below). After this, careful extraction is performed.

When wisdom teeth are removed, there is often a need for sutures. They can be applied even if there are signs of swelling on the gum. Tissue swelling is quite natural process after traumatizing the gums with incisions.

If the specialist applies the stitches correctly, the wounds should heal well. In this case, there should not be severe bleeding, since the first blood clot will not be displaced due to the sutures.

This procedure is also a preventive method, since the wound is closed and the risks of penetration of pathogenic microorganisms, of which there are quite a lot in the oral cavity, are minimized. That is, the smaller the wound, the less often it becomes infected and the faster it heals.

Oksana Shiyka
Dentist-therapist
Regardless of what threads the dentist uses, suturing does not take much time. And yet, self-absorbing materials are more convenient, because in this case there will be no additional trauma to the body.
The quality of the scar and the wound healing time after wisdom tooth removal depend not only on how the suture is applied, but also on possible complications. Removing the last tooth is one of the most difficult dental operations, so additional complications are not excluded.
For difficult removal, sutures can be placed like this.
It is worth noting that when the removal of a wisdom tooth occurs without complications, and the doctor uses ordinary materials for suturing, the threads can be removed within a week. However, a specialist must first assess the condition of the oral cavity and exclude the development of pathology. Only after this will it become clear whether the stitches can be removed or whether they should be left in place for more complete healing of the wound.
How long does it take for threads to dissolve?
Special threads for suturing are very convenient, since when using them there is no need to further injure the surgical site. But not all patients know how long they need to wait for the process of thread resorption to complete.
Oksana Shiyka
Dentist-therapist
As a rule, if high-quality suture material is used, not a trace will remain of it within 20–30 days after the operation.
It should be noted that the threads simply fall apart, and then the person unnoticed swallows them. There is no discomfort or danger if thread residues enter the stomach.
The advantage of using such material for suturing is that with them there is no need for an additional trip to the doctor. However, a week or two after surgery to remove a wisdom tooth, you should still visit the dentist to make sure that the surgical intervention did not lead to complications, for example, to an inflammatory process.
The exact time after which the seams will completely disappear is impossible to determine. But there are still approximate deadlines for each type of material.
In medical practice, 2 types of threads are widely used:
The first type, namely classic catgut, has been used for decades. This material has been used for more than a century, but recently it has begun to be replaced by new types of retainers. Classic threads can hold seams from 10 to 140 days. Over time, enzymes will begin to attack them, which will lead to their complete breakdown and elimination by the body. Nowadays, catgut is very often used when removing wisdom teeth. This operation is rarely done without stitches, but if you put them in, it’s very difficult to remove them. Absorbable sutures will be very useful.
Oksana Shiyka
Dentist-therapist
But it must be borne in mind that catgut cannot be used in situations where the risks of complications and inflammatory processes are very high.
More modern materials that are now used for suturing are synthetic threads such as Dexon and Vicryl. They are based on polyglycomic acid and polyclatin. It is convenient to create knots with such threads, which simplifies the surgeon’s work. Resorption of synthetic materials occurs through hydrolysis. It takes about a month for stitches of this type to completely disappear. Vicryl dissolves much faster than Dexon.
Oksana Shiyka
Dentist-therapist
The advantage of synthetic thread is that it can be used to suture even in areas where the risk of complications is high. Vicryl and Dexon do not cause inflammation, so they can be used during any operations, even the most complex ones.
In any case, the patient must visit the doctor a week or two after the removal of the wisdom tooth. When using synthetic threads and the complete absence of complications, dentists try to get rid of stitches before they dissolve on their own.
Possible complications
This element itself is very complex, and its removal often provokes additional problems in treatment. Therefore, if severe discomfort appears at the suture site a couple of days after the operation, you should consult a doctor. This may be severe pain or increased swelling. By the third day, postoperative swelling should subside. If it increases by this time, most likely we are talking about the development of complications.
Trouble may also arise with bleeding. Small amounts of blood in saliva on the first day after tooth extraction are considered quite normal. If the bleeding is severe and does not go away for several days, you should definitely consult a dentist. Most likely, the stitches will have to be re-stitched.

In some cases, for example, during surgery or after childbirth, absorbable sutures are required. For this, special material is used. There are many types of absorbable sutures. The healing time of such wounds depends on many factors. So how long do self-dissolving sutures take to dissolve?

Main types of seams

To answer this question, it is necessary to clarify what the main types of seams exist. Typically this is:

Internal. Such sutures are applied to injuries resulting from mechanical impact. Certain types of tissue are used to connect tissue at the site of the tear. Such self-absorbing sutures heal quite quickly. They are often placed on the cervix of women after childbirth. IN in this case anesthesia is not required, since this part of the reproductive organ is devoid of sensitivity.
External. They can also be applied using absorbable material. After childbirth, such sutures are made when there is a rupture or dissection of the perineum, as well as after operations. If regular material is used, it must be removed 5-7 days after surgery.

It is worth considering that self-absorbing sutures can heal after several weeks. It all depends on the type of material and its composition.

What are absorbable sutures

Self-absorbing sutures are almost always applied. It is extremely rare that surgical material that is resistant to hydrolysis is used for wound healing. Sutures that lose their strength after 60 days are considered absorbable. The threads dissolve as a result of exposure to:

Enzymes that are present in the tissues of the human body. In other words, these are proteins that control and accelerate the occurrence of chemical reactions.
Water. This chemical reaction is called hydrolysis. In this case, the threads are destroyed under the influence of water, which is present in the human body.

Synthetic braided polyglycolide thread "MedPGA"

Analogs of such surgical material are “Safil”, “Polysorb”, “Vicryl”.

Self-absorbing sutures after surgery or after childbirth can be applied using MedPGA thread. This surgical material is made on the basis of polyhydroxyacetylic acid. These threads are coated with an absorbable polymer. This is required to reduce wicking and capillarity, as well as to reduce the sawing effect that occurs when the material is passed through tissue.

How long does it take for the MedPGA thread to dissolve?

Self-absorbing sutures applied using MedPGA thread undergo hydrolytic disintegration, which is strictly controlled. It is worth noting that this material is quite durable. After 18 days, the threads retain up to 50% of their strength properties.

Complete resorption of the surgical material occurs only after 60-90 days. At the same time, the reaction of body tissues to MedPGA threads is insignificant.

It is worth noting that such surgical material is widely used for suturing all tissues, with the exception of those under tension, as well as long time don't heal. Most often, MedPGA threads are used in thoracic and abdominal surgery, gynecology, urology, plastic surgery and orthopedics. However, it is not used on nervous and cardiovascular tissues.

Synthetic braided polyglycolide thread "MedPGA-R"

Analogs of such surgical material are Safil Quick and Vicryl Rapid.

"MedPGA-R" is a synthetic thread made on the basis of polygliglactin-910. This surgical material is coated with a special absorbable polymer. This reduces friction as the thread passes through body tissue, and also reduces wicking and capillarity. Thanks to this surgical material, self-absorbing sutures can be applied.

How long does it take for MedPGA-R threads to dissolve?

"MedPGA-R" is a material that is susceptible to hydrolytic decomposition. Such threads are quite strong. After five days, 50% of their strength properties are retained. Complete resorption occurs only on day 40-50. It is worth noting that the tissue reaction to the MedPGA-R surgical material is insignificant. In addition, threads do not cause allergies.

This material is used for suturing mucous membranes, skin, soft tissues, and also in situations where short-term wound support is necessary. However, there are exceptions. Such threads are not used on nervous and cardiovascular tissues.

Synthetic braided polyglycolide thread “MedPGA-910”

Analogues of such surgical material are “Safil”, “Polysorb”, “Vicryl”.

"MedPGA-910" is an absorbable thread made on the basis of polygliglactin-910. The surgical material is also treated with a special coating, which reduces the “sawing” effect as the material passes through tissue, as well as reduces capillarity and wicking.

Resorption time of "MedPGA-910"

So, when do self-absorbing sutures applied using the surgical material “MedPGA-910” dissolve? Such threads have a high strength index. However, they also undergo hydrolytic degradation. After 18 days, the surgical material can retain up to 75% of its strength properties, after 21 days – up to 50%, after 30 days – up to 25%, and after 70 days, complete resorption of the threads occurs.

This product is used for suturing soft tissues that are not under tension, as well as those that heal quickly, in plastic, thoracic and abdominal surgery, gynecology, urology and orthopedics. MedPGA-910 should not be used when suturing nervous and cardiovascular tissues.

Monofilament "PDO"

There are not many analogues of such surgical material. This is Biosin, as well as PDS II. Such threads are characterized by a high level of biological inertness, are non-wicking and non-capillary, hydrophobic, do not injure tissue when passing through them, are elastic, quite strong, knit well and hold a knot.

How long does it take for monofilaments to dissolve?

PDO monofilaments are hydrolyzable. As a result of this process, dihydroxyethoxyacetic acid is formed, which is completely eliminated from the body. 2 weeks after suturing, the surgical material retains up to 75% strength. Complete dissolution of the threads occurs within 180-210 days.

As for the scope of application, the surgical material “PDO” is used for suturing and connecting soft tissues of any type, including for suturing cardiovascular tissues of the child’s body, which are subject to further growth. However, there are exceptions. Monofilaments are not suitable for suturing tissues that require wound support for up to 6 weeks, as well as those that are subject to heavy loads. Suture material should not be used when installing implants, artificial heart valves, or synthetic vascular prostheses.

So how long will it take for the stitches to dissolve?

Next, we will consider everything about what self-absorbing sutures are after childbirth: when they dissolve, do they require care. Do not forget that the timing of wound healing and complete disappearance of threads is influenced by many factors. First of all, you need to know what raw materials the surgical material is made from. In most cases, the threads begin to dissolve 7-14 days after suturing. To speed up the process, a healthcare professional may remove the nodules after the wound has healed. To determine the timing of thread resorption, you should check with your doctor:

What stitches were placed?
What material were the threads made from?
Approximate time frame for dissolution of suture material.

In conclusion

Self-absorbing threads are often used when suturing surgical wounds that are located in the deep layers of tissue, as well as on the surface of the skin. For example, during organ transplantation.

The same surgical material is used to stitch up wounds and tears received during childbirth. At the same time, a lot of research has been carried out. Their results showed that suture material made from polyglycolic acid completely disappeared after only four months, and material based on polyglactin after three. In this case, self-absorbing sutures will hold the edges of the wound until it is completely healed, and then gradually begin to collapse. If the threads persist for a long time and cause discomfort, then you should seek help from a surgeon or attending physician.

It depends on what material they are made of. Most absorbable sutures will begin to dissolve within 1-2 weeks. However, it may take several months for complete resorption. After the surgical wound has healed, the nurse may remove the remaining suture ends to speed up the process.

Ask your surgeon or healthcare provider:

what stitches did you get;
How long will they take to dissolve?

What are dissolvable sutures?

Sutures are considered absorbable if they lose almost all of their strength within 60 days. Suture threads dissolve under the influence of the following factors:

enzymes found in body tissue (enzymes are proteins that speed up and control the body's chemical reactions);
hydrolysis (chemical reaction with water contained in the body).

What material are absorbable sutures made from?

Absorbable sutures are most often made from the following materials:

polyglactin: loses approximately 25% of its strength after two weeks, 50% after three, completely resolves in 3 months;
polyglycolic acid: loses approximately 40% of its strength after one week, 95% after four, completely dissolves in 3-4 months.

There are several other types of suture threads. On average, absorbable sutures should begin to disintegrate within four weeks. Some materials completely dissolve after six months.

When are absorbable sutures used?

Absorbable sutures are used for suturing surgical wounds located on the surface of the skin and in deeper layers of tissue. They are typically used to close surgical wounds located deep below the surface of the skin. For example, they can be used during heart surgery or organ transplantation.

Absorbable sutures are also used to close wounds on the surface of the skin. For example, they can be used after childbirth to stitch up a tear in the perineum (the area of skin between the vagina and anus).

According to the results of one study, polyglactin sutures used for perineal rupture dissolved after three months, and polyglycolic acid sutures - after four.

Absorbable sutures will connect the edges of the wound until it is completely healed, and then gradually dissolve.

If they continue to cause you discomfort after the wound has healed, make an appointment with your surgeon. He will carefully remove the remaining seam ends.

What else is used when stitching wounds?

Other methods used when suturing wounds:

non-absorbable sutures;
clamps;
staples.

They should be removed by your healthcare provider once the wound has begun to heal.

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Recovery after childbirth
Self-absorbing sutures

Self-absorbable sutures are often used for surgical interventions, including after childbirth. To apply such sutures, they are used various materials, which dissolve on their own over a certain period of time (catgut, lavsan, vicryl).

When to apply self-absorbable sutures

information Self-absorbing sutures after childbirth are in most cases used for ruptures of the internal genital organs (vagina, cervix), because access to these organs is difficult and will be easier if there is no need to subsequently remove sutures there.

For ruptures and cuts in the perineum, various sutures can be applied: both self-absorbing and those requiring removal of threads.

Suture dissolution time

The resorption time of sutures depends on the threads with which it was made:

Catgut. The resorption time depends on the diameter of the thread and the place of its application and ranges from 30 to 120 days;
Lavsan. There are threads with different resorption periods (from 10-12 days to 40-50 days);
Vicryl(60-90 days).

Complications of postpartum wounds

The main complications of sutures in the postpartum period are failure (divergence) of the sutures and their suppuration (infection).

Seam divergence

Failure of internal sutures (on the cervix and in the vagina) is extremely rare. Basically, the divergence of the external sutures applied to the perineum occurs.

The main reasons for the divergence of the wound on the perineum:

Early sitting down;
Sudden movements;
Sex life;
Suture infection.

Signs of seam dehiscence:

Pain in the wound area;
The appearance of wound bleeding;
Painful swelling;
Temperature rise(if infected);
Feeling of heaviness and fullness in the area of the postoperative wound(indicates an accumulation of blood - a hematoma).

Wound infection

In most cases, wound infection occurs when personal hygiene rules are not followed and sutures are not properly cared for.

The main signs of purulent-inflammatory complications of sutures in the perineum are:

Heat;
Hyperemia(redness) of the wound area;
Soreness;
The appearance of purulent discharge from the sutures.

At the first sign of complications, you should immediately contact your obstetrician-gynecologist for help. The doctor will carry out the necessary procedures and prescribe treatment.

Caring for stitches after childbirth

remember Sutures placed on the vagina and cervix do not require additional treatment: the woman just has to follow the rules of personal hygiene to prevent the development of purulent-inflammatory complications. Sutures in the perineum, on the contrary, require increased attention and careful adherence by the mother to all recommendations.

Precautionary measures:

You should not sit for a week after giving birth(a longer time limit is possible). A woman is only allowed to lie down and stand. Then you can gradually sit down on a soft surface (pillow) with one buttock, and then with the whole buttock. Avoid sitting on hard surfaces for 3 weeks;
It is strictly forbidden to use shapewear, pressing on the perineum;
On the first day after childbirth, you should try to delay the act of defecation.: a woman should not eat a lot; be sure to avoid products that have a strengthening effect;
Refusal to start sexual activity early. You should start having sex no earlier than 2 months after giving birth.

Seam processing technique:

Treatment with antiseptic solution(in most cases brilliant green). In the maternity hospital, the sutures are processed by a midwife 1-2 times a day on a gynecological chair. At home, a woman should deal with the wound area independently with the help of relatives or go to see an obstetrician-gynecologist at the antenatal clinic every day for a week;
Physiotherapy(ultraviolet irradiation of the wound). Continuation of the procedures is possible at home with the help of special lamps.

Maintaining personal hygiene:

Change sanitary pads at least every 2 hours;
Wear only loose underwear made from natural fabrics or special disposable panties;
Carry out genital hygiene with baby soap 2 times a day, after which thoroughly wipe the perineum with a clean towel and treat with an antiseptic solution;
Wash with warm water every 2 hours(it is possible to use medicinal herbs - chamomile, calendula);
Wash your genitals after every visit to the toilet.