A stitch has "worked its way out"

[Ticky]

The bottom of my incision had become a little inflamed two days ago. Some pus came out during my shower yesterday and it started to scab over a little. Today in the shower a white string popped out. Should I do anything? Are these stitches supposed to dissolve over time? Has anyone had this happen?

 

[Nancy]

I think you should call the surgeon and let them decide what to do. Joe had a very minor incision infection, really tiny, but they brought him in and took care of it.

I was glad because you don't want anything to get a foothold in the incision area. Nothing good can come of that.

 

[geebee]

Definitely a visit to the surgeon is indicated. I had a massive scar infection and you do not want that to happen.

 

[Ticky]

Thanks ladies! I just spoke with the heart surgeon on call and she said to wash it with soap & water every day and clean it with hydrogen peroxide a few times a day. I may just pop in the doctor's office tomorrow since I'll be there to check my INR anyway.

 

[Ross]

If you start getting yellow gunk coming out of it, it's infected. I think you'd be well advised to see your doc as you say.

 

[hensylee]

the surgeon took pieces of saphenous vein out of my leg to use for bypasses. In one of those incisions, after the staples came out, I got an infection and had to make two trips to my dr so he could get those stitches out. After the second trip all was ok. I don't recall that he gave me an antibiotic.

 

[dj/utvolsfan]

Hey Ticky,
Good timing....get the inr check and the stitch looked at tomorrow. Hope all goes well. I had a stictch poke through but my cardio had a wait and see approach. I waited and saw that he was right. I scraped the stitch away last week (sorry...gross) withouth any repercussions. Debbi

 

[Lynlw]

Justin has a problem w/ disolving stitches not disolving, and for the most part some work their way out w/out problems, but like ross said if you see yellow or even if there is something that looks like a pimple get it checked, a few of Justin's that had a problem looked like a pimple or ingrown hair,