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Note: conundrums are not meant to have a “right” answer – they are to see how most people are practicing. Would love your comments also regarding your thought processes and the evidence behind your decisions. We can learn from each other!
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October 1, 2019 at 1:21 am
The use of absorbable sutures for facial lacerations is discussed very well here https://lacerationrepair.com/wound-blog/absorbable-sutures/
As for suture removal, a review of several sources revealed the following recommendations: Roberts & Hedges 5th day (or remove alternate sutures on the 3rd day and the remainder on the 5th day), AliEM 3-5 days, Uptodate 5 days, one Medscape article 5-7 days, Emedicine health 3-5 days. Roberts & Hedges says, “If sutures are removed within 7 days, generally no discernible needle puncture or stitch marks will persist. 87However, at 6 days the wound is held together by a small amount of fibrin and cells, and has minimal strength.” Sutures on the face are removed by 7 days to minimize stitch marks, but we must warn the patient/family that the wound does not have full tensile strength and to avoid re-injury. Consideration can be given to placing steri-strips or dermabond after suture removal.