- To repair a cut or scratch (laceration) of the skin
- To close an open area of skin after surgery
- To hold a skin graft in place
In the case of a laceration, the patient is placed in a comfortable position and the affected area cleaned with an antiseptic solution. The wound is often irrigated with sterile water to clean out any debris or bacteria. The physician will inject a numbing solution (most likely lidocaine) into the skin so that the suturing will not hurt.
Depending on the depth of the injury, each layer of tissue, starting with the deepest, is stitched together. Placing a suture involves taking a long thread with a curved needle at one end. The end with the needle is held by a special tool called a needle driver, which looks like a pair of scissors with clamps to hold the needle instead of blades. The doctor holds the needle driver and uses the needle to insert the thread into each side of the wound. The doctor then pulls the thread, which brings the skin together, and then quickly ties a knot.
Patients are discouraged from allowing the wound to get wet during the first 24–48 hours. After that, they may shower without fear of disrupting the healing process that has already taken place. Vaseline® or antimicrobial ointment may be applied on a daily basis with a gauze dressing or a Band-Aid® applied until the wound heals. The stitches may be removed in 5–14 days.
- Allergic reaction
- The stitch may fail, causing the wound to reopen (dehiscence)
- A deep stitch may "split" (extrusion)
- Specialized glue to seal a wound
- Allowing an open area to gradually close on its own (second intent healing)