Staples and sutures are used to hold a surgical site or other wound closed, to facilitate healing. One important step in patient recovery is the removal of such sutures at the specific time, typically when the wound is healed completely, so as to avoid inflammation, scarring and other complications. This is mainly required in the case of non-absorbable sutures.

Typically suture removal is done within a few days of discharge from a hospital.

Typical durations are:

• Face: 3-4 days
• Neck: 5 days
• Scalp: 6-7 days
• Arms and back of hands: 7 days
• Chest and abdomen: 7-10 days
• Legs and top of feet: 10 days
• Back: 10-12 days
• Palms of hands and soles of feet: 14 days

Suture removal can be done at home by one of our experienced nurses.  This can help to reduce anxiety in patients and is ideal for patients with reduced mobility.