What to do if dissolvable sutures haven't dissolved 2 weeks post keyhole surgery?

From the Guidelines

If dissolvable sutures haven't dissolved 2 weeks after keyhole surgery, you should contact your surgeon for assessment, as this may be normal depending on the type of sutures used. Different dissolvable sutures have varying dissolution times, ranging from 7-10 days for fast-dissolving types to 60-90 days for longer-lasting varieties 1. While waiting for your appointment, keep the area clean by gently washing with mild soap and water, and monitor for signs of infection such as increased redness, warmth, swelling, pus, or fever. Don't attempt to remove the sutures yourself as this could cause complications. At your follow-up appointment, your surgeon can determine if the sutures are dissolving appropriately or if they need to be removed manually. The dissolution rate depends on factors like the suture material, your body's healing response, and the location of the incision, so what you're experiencing may be completely normal for your specific situation. It's also important to note that the use of antibiotic-coated sutures, as recommended by recent guidelines 1, may help prevent surgical site infections, but this does not directly address the issue of dissolvable sutures not dissolving. However, following the guidelines for wound care and monitoring for signs of infection, as outlined in other studies 1, is crucial in preventing complications. In any case, it's essential to follow your surgeon's advice and attend your scheduled follow-up appointments to ensure proper healing and address any concerns. Some key points to consider include:

• Keeping the area clean and monitoring for signs of infection
• Not attempting to remove the sutures yourself
• Following your surgeon's advice and attending scheduled follow-up appointments
• Being aware of the varying dissolution times of different dissolvable sutures
• Understanding that the use of antibiotic-coated sutures may help prevent surgical site infections, but does not directly address the issue of dissolvable sutures not dissolving.

From the Research

Dissolvable Sutures During Keyhole Surgery

• Dissolvable sutures are used to facilitate wound healing and play an important role in ensuring the success of surgical interventions in healthcare facilities 2.
• The use of antimicrobial-coated sutures has been shown to minimize the occurrence of surgical site infections (SSIs) 3, 4.
• However, the provided studies do not directly address the issue of dissolvable sutures not dissolving 2 weeks post keyhole surgery.

Possible Complications

• Suture-associated surgical site infection (SSI) may develop when bacterial contaminants colonize the suture surface and establish biofilms that are highly resistant to antibiotic treatment 2.
• The use of absorbable sutures has been associated with a significantly higher frequency of suture hypersensitivity reaction, but a lower frequency of infection and wound dehiscence 5.

Next Steps

• There is no clear guidance in the provided studies on what to do if dissolvable sutures haven't dissolved 2 weeks post keyhole surgery.
• It is recommended to consult with a medical professional for advice on how to proceed, as they can assess the individual situation and provide guidance on the best course of action.
• Further research is needed to determine the effectiveness of dissolvable sutures in keyhole surgery and to address the issue of non-dissolving sutures.