3 months out problem with internal sutures

[0224]

I'm 3 1/2 months out since surgery. I noticed that my internal sutures are coming to the surface.  Is this normal. I contacted Dr. Frim and he said this can happen when you body didn't dissolve them and than starts spitting them out. I'm scared. Has this happened to anyone else. Please help? It doesn't look swollen and no puss?

[Elisaandbucky]

My visit was on the 6th. I felt good hearing that my healing was going well. I do still deal with neck pain.

Are you able to get enough sleep at night? Doing a job on your feet all day is difficult. I am still not back to my teaching. Just like you said, I can't predict how my day will be, so I have not committed myself to anything too physically demanding. The greatest thing I am celebrating presently is not having nausea and vomiting. I've only had a single day with it, which is really significant with me, as I have a real pathological fear of vomiting in public - especially in front of a classroom full of students! I will check on your work progress soon. Be well.

[0224]

Yes I have gone back I'm doing OK just very tired. How are you feeling after you doctors appointment. I hope things are getting better. I just never know what the day will bring. Today my balance was off mine seems to fluctuate is that normal some days are better than others.

[Elisaandbucky]

I know that we spoke a week or so ago and you had mentioned going back for the first time to your job as a dental hygienist. Did you indeed go back? I wonder if the added activity may be a contributor to your issue with your sutures. I really do not know if this could be associated, but have you felt fatigued since you have gone back to work? My dental hygienist seems to stretch to reach my teeth. Are you doing that at all? Just some things that may be responsible - other than the suture rejection referred to above by those who have experienced it.

[Toni_Paugh]

Hi. Yes, suture spitting out is a normal thing that can happen. It can of course be uncomfortable while trying to come out. As your doctor said, your body hasn't dissolved them. Your body is seeing them as a foreign body & wants them out. You could ask him what kind of suture he used. The most common suture that people have problems with is Vicryl suture. There are other dissolvable sutures that are like it, braided multifilaments, but this one seems to be what most people have had a problem with. Though, it is used in almost every closure, which might account for it being the most popular one seen to do this. If you find out what he used you can ask if a different suture can be used for future surgeries (hopefully no more are needed). They have come out with a Rapid dissolve (Rapide), I believe it dissolves in half the time than the regular Vicyrl. That may be better for you.                                                                                                                 I'm sorry this ended up being such a long answer. I hope you feel better about what has happened. Also, I have had suture spit up a year after surgery. For some reason some of it never did break down. There's no worries unless it gets infected, just pull it out & clean the area. Maybe some ointment on top. If you have any more questions I'm happy to answer them. I will try to keep it short.

[selmaS]

  I do have EDS my Chiari specialist DX'd me....I had not known prior...I was aware I bruised easily and was a slow healer...had no idea it was part of a condition.
  So your NS was a specialist and did not check you for EDS? is that what you are saying?

[0224]

I think I was he is a Chiari expert. Do you have eds?

[selmaS]

  Yes this happens when the body rejects the sutures....and as the above poster noted this is something those with EDS are prone to.....

I would suggest to see your PCP to check the site for infection and get a topical antibiotic ointment to help prevent an issue.....

  This is not uncommon...so try to relax and do call your PCP.

[baccalynnwv]

Hi.

This always happens to me when I have surgery. I haven't had decompression, but it has happened with my hernia repair, etc.

Were you checked for Ehlers-Danlos prior to surgery?

I know I have heard that when you have a connective tissue disorder that sometimes our bodies do not absorb foreign material well and like he said, spit it out.

Just keep it clipped if it is catching on things. Maybe see your primary just to double check for infection and see if he/she recommends you contact your neuro. But, its probably OK.