Suture Removal Timing for Dorsal Finger Wounds
Non-absorbable sutures on the dorsal surface of a finger should be removed at 7-9 days after placement. 1
Standard Removal Timeline
The dorsal finger falls under the "trunk and extremity" category, requiring suture removal at 7-9 days, which represents the suitable timeframe for non-absorbable transcutaneous sutures to allow adequate wound tensile strength development. 1
This 7-9 day window is based on the dermis regaining sufficient strength to maintain wound integrity without external support by this time. 1
Facial wounds require earlier removal at 5-7 days due to rich vascular supply, but this does not apply to finger wounds. 1
Pre-Removal Assessment
Before removing sutures at the 7-9 day mark, you must examine the wound for:
Signs of infection: increasing pain, erythema, purulent drainage, warmth, or systemic signs. 1
Wound dehiscence: separation of wound edges or gaping that would indicate inadequate healing. 1
Adequate healing: wound edges should be well-approximated without tension before proceeding with removal. 1
Post-Removal Management
After removing sutures from the dorsal finger:
Keep the area clean and dry for continued healing. 1
Avoid excessive tension on the wound during hand activities. 1
Consider applying steri-strips for additional support, particularly given that fingers are high-tension areas with frequent movement. 1
Monitor for delayed complications such as infection signs or wound separation in the days following removal. 1
Critical Pitfalls to Avoid
Removing sutures before 7 days risks wound dehiscence due to inadequate tensile strength development in the dermis. 1
Leaving sutures beyond 9-10 days increases tissue reaction risk and potential for suture tracks, though this is less problematic than on facial wounds. 1
Not providing post-removal support (such as steri-strips) in finger wounds may result in wound widening given the high-tension nature of hand movements. 1
If dehiscence occurs after removal, this suggests premature removal or inadequate wound tensile strength, and the wound should be assessed for infection and potentially re-sutured with deeper layered closure if needed. 2