Stitching is a basic procedure. The needle is threaded or sutured together. Most wounds are cleaned with sterile water and peroxide. Antiseptic betadine is a treatment option for the injury. Then a topical anaesthetic like lidocaine is used to relieve any pain (Xylocaine). The wound edges are ‘stitched’ together using needle and thread to restore the wound’s last look. This may take a lot of stitches. A bandage is usually used after the incision is closed, followed by a topical antibacterial gel. Scarring is common when a wound is patched up.
Preparing to Remove Stitches
There should be instructions on how to care for the stitches and the wound and an estimate of when the stitches will be removed, provided to patients who get sutures. A pair of suture removal scissors is one of the best nursing scissors; hence, they are recommended. Listed below are some instances of these kinds of instructions:
- Maintaining a clean and dry wound for the first 24 hours is critical.
- Do not soak the wound for two days after the wound has healed.
- After 48 hours, bandages may be safely removed unless the region bleeds or produces a discharge. As soon as a bandage is soaked, it should be replaced with a dry one.
- Apply an antibiotic ointment to the wound once cleaned (brand names include Polysporin and Neosporin, for example).
- A broken or loose suture should be reported to your doctor as soon as possible.
Removing Sutures
Wash the wound with an antiseptic solution to remove encrusted blood and scar tissue. After grasping the knot of each suture, the suture is cut using suture removal scissors or a tiny knife blade. Forceps are used to extract the loosened suture thread from the skin; however, this is not the best nursing scissors to use. The operation is repeated until all sutures are removed. When a stitch is terminated, you may feel a pulling or a pull. The wound has been cleaned. Adhesive strips are often used to help heal wounds.
Care after Removing the Sutures
Just as before, wound care is equally essential after suture removal. Make sure the wound heals without scarring by taking good care of it.
- Keep the adhesive strips on the wound for about five days. To get rid of them, soak them in water. It is not a good idea to try to remove them by peeling them off.
- Ensure that the wound is always clean and dry at all times.
- The tensile strength of the skin progressively returns after an injury. At the suture removal, the wound had only regained 5–10% of its original strength. Therefore, take care not to injure the wound over the next month.
- Injured tissue will want further sun protection for many months after the first injury. Recommend applying sunscreen to all exposed areas throughout this period of healing.
- Using vitamin E topically to help heal damaged skin is also very beneficial. This should only be considered when the wound has healed and closed up around the skin’s edges.
Removing sutures at home can be both easy and very risky. Hence, it is essential to use suture removal scissors. This is because it is undoubtedly one of the best nursing scissors.