Face Laceration Follow-up and Suture Removal Protocol

Facial sutures should be removed after 5-7 days to minimize scarring while ensuring adequate wound healing. 1

Timing of Suture Removal

The timing of suture removal for facial lacerations is critical to balance adequate wound healing with optimal cosmetic outcomes:

Face/Facial lacerations: 5-7 days
- Removing facial sutures after this timeframe helps minimize scarring
- Leaving sutures in too long can lead to permanent suture marks, increased scarring, and higher infection risk 1
- High-mobility areas like the chin still follow this 5-7 day guideline

First follow-up visit: 7-10 days after repair
- Primary purpose is for suture removal (if not already removed)
- Assess for signs of infection or complications
- Evaluate early wound healing progress 1
Additional follow-up considerations:
- For complex facial lacerations, consider specialized postpartum perineal clinic model with early follow-up within two weeks 2
- Examine the wound a couple of days after suture placement for early signs of infection 3

Immediate post-repair care:
- Keep wound clean and dry for the first 24 hours
- After 24 hours, gentle cleansing with mild soap and water is permitted
- Apply antibiotic ointment if prescribed
Ongoing care:
- Protect the scar from sun exposure with sunscreen (SPF 30+) for at least 6 months to prevent darkening 1
- After complete healing (2-4 weeks), perform gentle massage of the scar with moisturizer to help with scar remodeling 1
- Note that scar formation continues for up to 12 months 1

First week:
- Avoid strenuous physical activities for 1 week 1
- Avoid activities that could stretch or traumatize the wound
Extended period:
- No contact sports until complete healing (2-3 weeks) to prevent accidental trauma 1
- For facial wounds, minimize excessive facial expressions that could stress the wound

Recommended analgesics:
- Acetaminophen as needed for pain according to package instructions
- Avoid NSAIDs like ibuprofen if possible due to increased bleeding risk 1
- For facial wounds, ice packs can help reduce swelling and discomfort

Patients should seek immediate medical attention if they notice:

Cosmetic outcomes:
- Facial wounds have excellent blood supply and typically heal well
- Rapid-absorbing gut suture or tissue adhesives can be used for facial lacerations with comparable 9-12 month cosmetic outcomes to nylon sutures, while eliminating the need for suture removal visits 4
- Vertical mattress sutures are useful for precise wound edge eversion in cosmetically important areas 1
Technique considerations:
- 4-0 or 5-0 monofilament sutures are recommended for facial wounds 1
- Monofilament sutures are preferred over multifilament sutures due to lower infection risk 1
- Primary wound closure is recommended for facial wounds, even when closure might not be recommended for wounds in other locations 2

By following this protocol, patients with facial lacerations can achieve optimal healing with minimal scarring and reduced risk of complications.