Dissolvable stitches, also known as absorbable sutures, are commonly used for internal stitching during surgical procedures. Unlike regular stitches which need to be manually removed after a period of time, dissolvable stitches are designed to break down and absorb into the body on their own.
Quick Answer: What color are dissolvable stitches?
Internal dissolvable stitches are most commonly clear (transparent), white, or light pink in color. The exact color can vary depending on the material they are made from.
Types of Materials for Dissolvable Stitches
There are a few common materials used for dissolvable suture thread:
- Catgut sutures – Made from purified collagen taken from cow or sheep intestines. Catgut stitches are beige or light brown in color and typically take around 4-6 weeks to dissolve.
- Vicryl sutures – Made from a copolymer called polyglactin 910. Vicryl sutures are undyed and clear or white in color. They usually dissolve within 2-4 weeks.
- Monocryl sutures – Made from poliglecaprone 25. Monocryl sutures are violet or blue-violet in color and can take 4-6 weeks to dissolve.
- PDS sutures – Made from polydioxanone. PDS stitches are violet in color and dissolve in around 6-8 weeks.
- Biosyn sutures – Made from glycomer 631, Biosyn stitches are transparent and dissolve within 2-3 weeks.
The most common materials for dissolvable sutures used internally are catgut, Vicryl, Monocryl, and PDS sutures. Of these, Vicryl is the most popular option for internal stitching and wound closure.
Appearance of Dissolvable Stitches Over Time
The appearance of dissolvable stitches can change over the time period while they are dissolving in the body. Here are some general guidelines on the appearance changes:
- Immediately after stitching, the stitches will appear according to their original color based on material.
- After 3-5 days, clear sutures may take on a light yellow/brown tint as fluid and proteins start binding to the thread.
- Around 2 weeks in, the stitches will appear hazy as they start hydrolyzing.
- At 3-4 weeks, the suture threads appear fragmented as degradation continues.
- After 4-6 weeks, the sutures should be mostly dissolved and absorbed with minimal remaining visible fragments.
The dissolving process causes the suture threads to gradually lose their solid structure and color intensity. For colored sutures like Monocryl and PDS, the original violet hue will also fade as the stitches break down.
Reasons for Use of Clear/White Stitches Internally
Here are some reasons why clear or white dissolvable sutures are often preferred for internal stitching:
- More discrete – Clear or white sutures are less visible against the natural colors of internal tissue and organs.
- Less inflammatory – Materials like catgut and Vicryl tend to cause less inflammation internally compared to some dyed sutures.
- Faster dissolution – Clear Vicryl dissolves faster than some other materials, which is advantageous for internal wound closure.
- Do not interfere with imaging – Clear/white sutures do not distort or interfere with medical imaging like CT scans or MRIs.
- Simple technique – Surgeons are trained and comfortable working with clear sutures for internal closures.
Normal Healing and Dissolving Process
When placed internally, dissolvable stitches will go through a normal healing and dissolution process:
- 1-7 days: The wound edges are held together while natural coagulation and tissue bonding begins. Inflammation is normal.
- 3-14 days: Fibroblast cells migrate to the wound and start depositing collagen. New blood vessels form. The sutures start hydrolyzing.
- 5-28 days: Scar tissue continues maturing. The stitches lose tensile strength as dissolution progresses.
- 14-42 days: The sutures complete absorption. The incision line gains 70-80% of its final tensile strength.
Throughout the healing period, the retention strength of the sutures gradually transfers to the developing scar tissue itself as the stitches dissolve. Complete internal healing can take several months depending on the extent of the original incision and procedure.
Signs of Potential Complications
In most cases, dissolvable stitches will be naturally absorbed without issues. However, some key signs that may indicate potential complications include:
- Unusual discharge or pus leaking from the incision line
- Redness, increasing swelling, warmth around the incision
- Fever or feeling unwell
- Continued sharp pains around the area
- Visible piece of suture remaining longer than expected
If any of these warning signs are noticed, contact your doctor promptly to have the area examined and treated if infection or another complication has set in.
When to See Your Doctor
You should arrange a follow-up visit with your doctor approximately 2-3 weeks after an internal surgery with dissolvable sutures. This allows the doctor to:
- Check that the incision is healing well
- Look for signs of potential infection
- Confirm that the sutures are dissolving on schedule
- Address any other concerns about pain, drainage, appearance
Be sure to keep follow-up appointments even if everything seems to be healing fine. Contact your doctor sooner if you have any worries or notice any of the warning signs mentioned above.
Incision Care Instructions
Your doctor will provide specific instructions on caring for the incision site while internal dissolvable stitches are dissolving. Typical recommendations include:
- Keep the area clean and dry
- Do not soak in water or swim until healing reaches advanced stages
- Watch for signs of infection and report any unusual symptoms
- Avoid straining, lifting heavy objects, or vigorous exercise
- Take prescribed antibiotics and pain medications as directed
- Wear loose, comfortable clothing over the healing area
Following your doctor’s post-procedure directions can help support proper healing and reduce risks until the sutures have fully dissolved internally.
When Activities Can Resume
Your doctor will advise when normal activities can be resumed after procedures involving internal dissolving stitches. Typical guidelines include:
- Desk work: Within a few days, if not too uncomfortable
- Driving: 1-2 weeks after surgery
- Light exercise: After 2-3 weeks
- Sexual activity: After 2-4 weeks
- Heavy lifting: After 4-6 weeks
- Strenuous exercise: After 4-6 weeks
Talk to your doctor about any specific date recommendations based on your unique situation. Resuming activity too soon could lead to suture rupture or other complications. Clearance from your doctor is advised to confirm it is safe in your specific case.
Long-Term Effects After Absorption
Once fully dissolved and absorbed, internal dissolvable sutures should not cause any long lasting effects or complications. A few things to expect:
- The internal incision line may remain tender or sensitive for several months after.
- There may be a visible scar externally where the surgical opening was made.
- Any bumps under the skin along the closure line should resolve within 4-6 months.
- Numbness around the incision often improves gradually over the first year.
In most cases, patients can expect a full recovery within 6 months to 1 year after procedures involving internal dissolving sutures. Notify your doctor about any unusual or persistent issues around the surgery site.
When to Use Alternatives to Dissolvable Stitches
While dissolvable stitches are commonly used for internal wound closure, there are some situations where alternatives may be recommended instead, such as:
- High tension areas – Non-dissolving sutures may hold tighter
- Larger lacerations – Skin glue or staples could provide better support
- delicate tissues – Specialty sutures may cause less irritation
- Known allergies – Switch to hypoallergenic materials if irritation occurs
- Areas requiring extended support – Non-dissolving stitches may last longer
Discuss the best options for internal stitching material with your surgeon based on the specifics of your particular surgical case or injury.
Conclusion
In summary, typical internal dissolvable suture colors include clear, white, or light pink. The transparent Vicryl material is very commonly used. Normal absorption happens over 4-6 weeks, but occasional complications can arise. Follow all post-procedure directions from your surgeon and report any unusual symptoms promptly. Once fully dissolved, the stitches should no longer have effects internally after leaving only a minimal scar externally.