From the Research
You are unable to suture lacerations after a timeframe that varies depending on the location and type of wound, but recent evidence suggests that the traditional "golden period" of 6 hours may not be as critical as once thought, with some studies indicating that wounds can be safely closed up to 18 hours or more after injury, as noted in 1 and 2. The decision to suture a laceration should be based on factors such as wound contamination, location, patient health status, and mechanism of injury.
- Facial lacerations, which have excellent blood supply, may be sutured up to 24 hours after injury.
- Wounds on the extremities should be closed within a reasonable timeframe, but the exact timeframe is not as critical as once thought.
- Wounds in highly contaminated areas like the mouth or areas with poor blood supply should be closed as soon as possible, ideally within a few hours of injury. Key considerations in the decision to suture a laceration include:
- The type of wound and its location
- The level of contamination and the risk of infection
- The patient's overall health status and any underlying medical conditions
- The mechanism of injury and the potential for further trauma As noted in 2, several studies have confirmed that delays in wound closure rarely cause infection, and that wound length and depth, contamination of the wound, and diabetes are found to be risk factors for wound infection. The most recent and highest quality study, 2, suggests that the traditional "golden period" for suturing lacerations may not be as critical as once thought, and that wounds can be safely closed up to 18 hours or more after injury, depending on the location and type of wound.