Open wounds are wounds that cause a break in the skin. They are very common and people get them for various reasons, such as car accidents or kitchen incidents. Regardless of how you got them, open wounds need to be cared for as soon as possible. When it comes to such a wound, your main concern should be to control the bleeding. Then, there comes the “do I need stitches?” question.

Since stitches are mostly used to closed open wounds, chances are that you will need them. Stitches promote healing and prevent infection, so no wonder that they are commonly used by healthcare professionals. They are also used to reduce scaring, but when dealing with open wounds, this should not be a priority. The priority should be closing the wounds, which can be achieved by means of sutures.

However, there are many things to consider when evaluating open wounds for stitches. The first thing you need to know is the types of open wounds:

• Lacerations are simple breaks in the skin, also known as “cuts”;
• Incisions are surgical wounds that surgeons make with a scalpel;
• Punctures are very similar to lacerations; the difference is that lacerations tear through the skin, while punctures go in and come back out;
• Avulsions are torn sections of the skin;
• Abrasions are scratches and are much less deeper than avulsions, which remove the skin entirely.

Know that you know what are the types of open wounds, here is their “suturability” status. Lacerations, punctures and incisions are all suturable and are most of the times stitched. While small abrasions do not even require stitches, complete abrasions cannot be stitched. This also goes for avulsions, which cannot be stitched unless they still have a flap of skin attached.

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Other factors determining whether you need stitches include:

• Location. The location of the wound can determine whether stitches are a good idea or nor, since wounds on body areas that stretch and move a lot are more likely to need sutures that the body areas that do not move as much.
• Depth. Deep wounds often require stitches. If you can see the subcutaneous tissue (that yellowish, fatty tissue under the skin), then stitches are in order because the wound is quite deep.
• Width. The width of the wound is also very important. If the wound is gaping and cannot be easily pinched closed, then holding it closed long enough for it to heal properly can only be possible by suturing it.
• Tetanus vaccine. It is important to remember that tetanus vaccines are only effective for 5 years, which means that if more time has passed since your last vaccination, you should go see a doctor.

There are other cases when you should have the open wounds evaluated by a doctor:

• you are diabetic;
• you have been bitten by an animal or human;
• you cannot get the dirt of the wound;
• you cannot close the edges of the wound;
• you cannot stop the bleeding.

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While it is not that hard to evaluate open wounds for stitches, seeing a doctor is recommended in all cases. This is because you want to be attended by a healthcare professional who will clean and suture your wound with minimal scaring and infection risk.

The stitching process is most of the time considered to be the simplest one in the whole surgical repair of the body. Regardless of the state of the trauma suffered, stitches are pretty much considered in the same way all the time. However, although many people tend to disregard them and to consider them as a simple part, they can play one of the most important roles during the healing process. 

Simple Interrupted Stitch

Stitches are the ones through which the wounds are closed and that is why they are the main starting points of healing. Their main aim is to place the broken tissue back together in a as natural form as possible, so that it can regain its normal aspect and functions. The process of stitching is one that requires extra attention, patience and dexterity, due to the fact that the stitch must be created perfectly so that the external aspect, as well as the internal functionality of it can be proper.

Vertical Mattress Stitch

In the creation of the stitch, the placement is one of the aspects to be considered. This may depend on the location and on the size of the wound. The process is carried through with the help of a needle with attached suture into a needle holder. Important aspects in the process are connected to the creation of the stitch, which should bind the sides of the wound together, but not in a way that pulls the skin too tight or that leaves open spaces. That is why the process is so complex and why it should closely follow Jenkin’s Rule.

Continuous Stitch

The types of stitches to surface from the application of the rule provide the techniques used for the perfect healing of the surface. The following techniques can be used:

• simple interrupted stitch – suitable for simple wounds; easy process; interrupted refers to the suture thread being cut after each stitch;
• vertical and horizontal mattress stitch - also interrupted; suitable for more fragile wounds, for areas in which the skin is much more tender;
• continuous stitch - faster process; however, risks may appear due to the fact that the suture thread is never stopped until the end; a lose end may cause damage to the whole stitch;
• complex stitches - chest drain stitch, corner stitch, Figure 8 stitch, subcuticular stitch.

Subcuticular Stitch

The choice of the proper technique for the wound stitch is highly dependent on the location of it on the body, on the type of the wound, as well as on all the other elements that may be seen as specifications of the wound. As you can see now, the process of stitching, the techniques used, the choice of materials for them are not exactly simple and fast. They require a lot of attention and consideration, due to the fact that the wound must be aided in healing through the stitch, but the skin must also recover, as much as it is possible, to its normal aspect.

Stitches are the ones that complete the process of a surgical intervention or through which an accidental cut is closed in any portion of the body. The process of stitching is actually a very complex one and it can bring a lot of different circumstances. This is the main reason why the future doctors are that much more placed on learning the proper stitching process. These do not only have something to do with the way in which the wound looks like after the surgery, but they are also the ones through which the healing process is maximized. Their importance is, as a result, one of the valuable parts of the process suffered by the body.

We say that the realization of the stitching process is simple, yet complex due to the fact that it is in fact all about stitching, with the difference that the material stitched is human. Therefore, the process in itself is not very difficult from an outside look and it seem easier to do than anything else. However, in the case these are not done correctly, there are many problems that surface and which will affect the state of health of the patient. Through the proper realization of this medical procedure, the body will heal in the proper way in the affected area in depth. It will also heal on the surface, as the material used for the stitching can be chosen from the ones that can be taken out after sometime or the ones that are made from a melting material.

Believe or not, the stitches are a very important part in the whole process. They are the ones which can insure the fact that the issue suffered from will be treated, that the affected portion of the skin will look like nothing ever happened to it and that the functions of the area will be reinstated. Making stitches is actually easy, most people think, but the elements that make it a lot more complex are the ones connected to the fact that anything done wrong can damage the entire recovery process. As a result, the importance of the way in which these are done is one of the massive ones in the surgical or in the reparation process and must be handled with care and professionalism for the sake of the patient and for the proper healing.

If you have recently underwent surgery, you surely have some sutures or stitches in the area of the operation. If you have been sent home right after the operation, there are a few things you should know in terms of taking care of the sutures. They are to be handled with care. These sutures will be with you for at least a few days, depending on your situation and the area of the body that is affected. It is extremely important that you follow all your surgeon’s instructions on how to care for the site to ensure proper and minimal scarring.

Removing the sutures or other skin closure devices is a delicate procedure that many people dread. Understanding the various skin-closure procedures and knowing how they are put in and what to expect when they are removed can help overcome much of this anxiety. Until you go back to the doctor’s cabinet to get the sutures out, here are some tips on how to ensure proper healing of the operation. In the first 24 hours after the operation, you should avoid water or other moisture. After a day or two, you can begin washing the area with soap and water. Your doctor can prescribe you an ointment that you can apply to the site after washing. You will need to have your sutures removed on the day designated by your surgeon. This is very important, since leaving the sutures in longer than needed can cause unnecessary scarring.

Before you go to the surgeon, you should watch out for any unusual reactions, such as redness that goes beyond the basic edge of the wound, fever or any unusual coloring or discharge, including pus. Even after you have your stitches removed, it is crucial to care for the site with an ointment or cream that your surgeon can recommend. Protect the operation site from any unnecessary injury for at least four weeks following stitch removal.  If you have stitches that dissolve and how to care for the site during and after that period. Make sure you keep the wound clean and dry, and keep yourself away from the sun’s damaging ultraviolet rays for the next several months. One of the most helpful cream topic is vitamin E. It has the property of speeding up the healing process of the damaged skin. This should only be considered once the skin edges are healed and closed together.

Dentists, oral surgeons, plastic surgeons, obstetricians, urologists, veterinarians and numerous other doctors have been using stitches for centuries to close wounds, cuts and surgical incisions. Stitches can either be dissoluble or non-dissoluble. Opting for one type or another depends on several factors, such as the area in which they are needed. For example, internal body tissues will need absorbable stitches. Patients who cannot return for suture removal will also need absorbable stitches. On the other hand, non-absorbable stitches are needed in stressful environments, where absorbable stitches do not suffice. Regardless of the type of stitches used, both absorbable and non-absorbable ones need to have three main features.

The first feature of stitches is thickness. The thickness of stitches depends on the wound and it area. For instance, thin stitches are mainly used in plastic surgery, for simple cuts, or for wounds that need to heal with no or little scarring. Thick stitches are used when scarring is not an issue, like for internal wounds. Thick stitches are made by weaving more material together, while thin stitches are made with less material. The second feature of stitches is elasticity. This feature is very important, because if stitches do not have proper elasticity, they can snap and even tear the wound, therefore delaying the healing process. To illustrate this feature, think about the areas that bend. Knees are the best example, since they need very elastic stitches in order to be able to bend without the surgical sutures being teared.

The third feature of stitches is decomposition rate. The desired treatment period will establish how long do the stitches have to last. For instance, deep and wide wounds need a longer period of time to heal, therefore the stitches need to last longer. As stitches can be formulated and strengthened to dissolve slowly or rapidly, this will not be an issue. The doctor will determine the decomposition rate. If you need stitches, it is very important for you to ask a lot of questions and get throughly informed on what is about to happen. Stitches need to be sutured perfectly for the wounded area to heal properly and fast.

Stitching, also known as suturing, is one of the most popular methods used by healthcare practitioners in order to close or repair wounds in the skin. Whether they are used in surgeries or simply when individuals hurt themselves in the street, stitches are surely helpful. As stitches can be used both internally and externally, they are very beneficial and have a wide array of purposes. There are two main types of stitches which are commonly being used nowadays: absorbable and non-absorbable. Absorbable stitches are those sutures which rapidly break down into the tissues. In about 60 days, they lose their strength and are gradually absorbed by the skin, meaning that they do not have to be removed.

Absorbable stitches are primary used for internal suturing, when surgical incisions need to be closed and when the ends of bleeding blood vessels must be tied. They are also used in patients who do not have the possibility of returning to the healthcare facility for suture removal. Non-absorbable stitches are the ones capable of maintaining their strength for more than 60 days. They are made from a special type of silk and are used mainly for skin wound closure purposes, meaning that they will be removed after a few weeks. Non-absorbable stitches are also used in case that absorbable stitches do not suffice, like when the heart does not support them due to its constant movement. Although they are often removed, there are cases when non-absorbable stitches are left permanently.

As the parts of the body are different from one another, it is natural for them to heal at different speed. This is what determines how fast will stitches be removed. For example, facial wounds heel in about 3-5 days, while limbs take about 10-14 days to heal. Before returning for stitches removal, patients will be given instructions on how to properly take care of the wound. Prior to the removal process, the wound is cleansed with antiseptics in order for the loosened scar tissue to be removed. Then, the healthcare practitioner will use sterile forceps to pick up the knot of each stitch, and surgical scissors to cut it. Finally, the wound will be cleansed again, and the patient will be free to go.

Sometimes, accidents happen and people are wounded. In these cases, they should be taken immediately to the closest hospital, as wounds can infect or can get more complicated as time goes by. If the wound is open and the patient needs to be sewed, he or she will need some stitches in order to close the wound and to speed up the recovery. If the stitches are visible easily, they should be done by someone who knows how to do them in an aesthetic manner. Many people are injured on their faces, for example, so, the stitches cannot go unnoticed. After the healing process is over, stitches can leave marks, so, the one doing them should have a little bit of artistic talent. Of course, most marks of this kind can be repaired with the help of aesthetic surgeries, but if these can be avoided it would be better.

Stitches can leave ugly scars if they are not done properly. Doctors who do stitches must pay a lot of attention to their work, as the looks are very important for anyone. Having a scar on the face is depressing and even if it can be removed thanks to aesthetic procedures, the thought of more surgeries is horrible and can affect the mental health of the patient. Even if the stitches are not in a visible place, the patient will still see them, so, the best would be to make everything to avoid a scar anywhere on the body.

Although stitches save the lives of people in many cases, a lot of these patients suffer depression because of the marks the accidents on their bodies. After the trauma that someone has following an accident, the patient can easily fall into depression. And most cases are related to the aftermath. If a patient escapes with no injuries, chances are she or he learns a lesson from this and continues living happily. If something painful happens, leaving the person wounded, this will be traumatic due to the memories that will keep coming back and the mark left on her or his body. This is why stitches are so important, the more aesthetic they are, the less are the chances to leave scars and affect the person involved in the suturing process.

In the medical field, the doctors are dealing with patients who have serious wounds on a daily basis. Luckily, stitches are there to help the medical staff deal with those injuries. Also known as surgical sutures, stitches have been around for many millenniums, but the way in which they are currently being used has developed and improved hugely. Whether they are needed after an injury or surgery, stitches are medical devices which have the purpose of closing wounds. This is because stitches hold the body tissue together, making sure that the patient does not face any more problems.

Stitches come in different shapes and sizes, and they are made out of numerous materials. However, all stitches have something in common: they consist of a needle which has an attached length of thread. The types and shapes of needles are also diverse, and using one or the other usually depends on the size and gravity of the wound. Among the types of surgical needles, the most popular ones are the taper, cutting, reverse cutting, side cutting, tapercut or blunt points. You should also know some things about the stitches thread, which is also made from a wide range of materials. Examples here are many. Originally, the biological materials were used, such as silk or catgut. The more modern versions include synthetic materials, like nylon, polypropylene, polyglycolic acid or polylactic acid.

Luckily, you do not have to worry about this aspect, because if you need stitches, the doctor or nurse attending you will know which alternative is the best for you. You should know, though, that stitches can be absorbable or non-absorbable. The absorbable stitches are, as the name suggests, stitches which are broken down over time and naturally absorbed by the body. The non-absorbable stitches must usually be removed after a period of time, and they often leave scars. Nevertheless, stitches are used all the time, because they are the best and fastest way of closing wounds. Most people do not even want to hear about stitches, but they do not realize that stitches actually speed up the healing process.

Accidents can easily take place, no matter the location or the situation in which they are produced. And usually when accidents happen, different wounds are formed and medical care is required. Well, to be able to heal a wound, doctors will most likely use stitches, which aim to promote the healing process. For a wound to be healed quicker, stitches are applied to keep that wound closed, until it is completely cured. The type of stitches used are going to vary depending on the size of the wound and mostly the rapidity with which each patient heals.

Usually stitches are applied after a surgery, which supposes an open wound. Stitches are also used when accidents take place, for example, when you accidentally cut yourself. Anyway, no matter the situation we may be referring to, stitches are used to accelerate and promote the healing process. Most commonly, the medical term used for stitches is sutures. The method a specialist is going to use when applying stitches will vary from one case to another, depending on the location, size and strength of a wound. The type of stitches used will also vary, as in some cases doctors can decide to use dissolvable stitches, which do not need to be removed, but they can also opt for clips or staples, meaning stitches which have to be removed when the wound is healed. 

When stitches are removed, the process will most likely take place at about 21 days after the treatment has started. Depending on the type of skin, the reaction to the treatment, and various other similar aspects, the doctor will recommend to patients the period of time in which stitches need to be kept on the wound. Usually stitches are removed when healing begins, but they need to be kept until the moment when the wound is healed. Various complications can be formed by patients after a surgery. This is the main reason why remaining committed to the treatment is highly important, while constantly having medical checks. Taking properly care of a wound and making sure that you will not harm yourself in any way is very important in the healing process.