Suturing (stitches) for cuts and wounds

Category: Minor Procedures, Injections & Pain Relief · All minor procedures, injections & pain relief

What it is

Suturing closes a cut with stitches so the skin edges heal together, used when a wound is deep, gaping, on a cosmetically important area, or likely to keep bleeding. Alternatives for suitable wounds include adhesive strips (Steri-Strips), tissue glue, or staples.

Why it is done

The choice depends on wound depth, location and contamination, time since injury, and your health (for example diabetes or immune suppression affect healing). Old or dirty wounds may be left open or cleaned and closed later.

How to prepare

The wound is examined, cleaned, and checked for foreign bodies and damage to tendons, nerves or vessels nearby. Anaesthetic cream or an injected local anaesthetic numbs the area; a tetanus check is done and antibiotics are considered for contaminated or bite wounds.

What happens during the procedure

After numbing, the skin edges are brought together with individual or continuous stitches placed with a fine needle, then covered with a dressing. The procedure takes 10 to 30 minutes depending on size and site.

Afterwards — recovery & results

Keep the wound clean and dry as instructed. Stitches are removed after about 5 to 14 days depending on the site (face early, joints and lower legs later); dissolving stitches vanish on their own. Watch for spreading redness, increasing pain, discharge, opening of the wound or fever, and seek care promptly if they appear.

Risks & considerations

Risks include infection, wound opening, scarring (location and wound shape affect it), numbness near the wound, and occasionally a retained foreign body if one was missed. Scar appearance improves over months; sun protection helps.

Frequently asked questions

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