Stitches & Stitch Removal
Sutures
If you have a minor cut or scrape, it will usually heal by itself. But for serious cuts or incisions from a surgical procedure, you may need stitches, or sutures, to hold the tissue together so they can heal.
If you have suffered a serious cut or have a wound that is not healing by itself, visit our experienced doctors at IPSA. We will clean your injury to ensure that you do not develop an infection, and may recommend stitches.
Stitches will help the tissues of your skin fuse back together. The stitches usually remain in place for 7 to 9 days, allowing your skin to heal with minimal scarring or risk of infection.
You may feel anxious about getting stitches, especially if you have experienced a traumatic event, but the procedure is generally pain-free.
At IPSA medical, you will be seen by a doctor who is trained in A&E. You will be examined immediately in a clean, quiet environment, and we will give you a full examination and sterile cleansing of the wound.
Our doctors will offer you different treatment options including stitches, Steristrips, pressure bandages or glue. We will run you through the entire range of methods we can use to treat the wound effectively and minimise scarring.
If you do need sutures, we can do this immediately under local aesthetic to maximise the chances of your skin healing without a scar.
We will give you thorough aftercare advice and review your case free of charge in 10 days to assess how the wound is healing and remove the stitches.
Contact IPSA today and for a same-day appointment with an experienced doctor.
How to Tell if You Need Stitches
Sometimes a wound may look worse than it is, so may be difficult to tell if your cut needs stitches. Our doctors at IPSA will be able to tell you if stitches are required.
You should seek medical advice if any of the following apply:
- The cut is on your face or another part of your body where scarring may be an issue.
- The cut is deep, jagged, or gaping.
- It is bleeding profusely and the bleeding fails to stop after 20 minutes of direct pressure.
- The wound feels numb.
How Does a Suture Work?
First you will have your injury assessed and our doctors will determine whether stitches are the best option.
If it is decided that you need stitches, our doctor will clean and numb the area. If the wound is causing you pain, the doctor may administer a local anaesthetic before cleaning to ensure that you are comfortable during the procedure.
Our doctors will take a closer look at the wound to make sure there is no dirt, debris, or other foreign objects inside it before sewing the wound together.
If our doctor suspects that there may be other debris inside the injury, they may order an x-ray. For example, if you cut yourself on a piece of glass or sharp metal, it is essential that we ensure that there are no remaining shards inside the cut.
The doctor may remove any dead tissues to help your skin heal quicker. Then they will pull the edges of the cut together and make stitches by looping thread through either side of the cut and tying a knot to hold the wound closed.
Stitches & Stitch Removal at IPSA
We will follow up your consultation with another appointment in 7 to 9 days to assess the wound and remove the stitches. This is a painless procedure and will only take a few minutes.
The doctors at IPSA are experienced in dealing with these kinds of procedures. Click here to book an appointment at the IPSA clinic.
