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How To Remove SuturesNon-absorbable sutures are used to "sew up" some types of accidental tears and surgical incisions, approximating the tissues and allowing them to heal. Suture removal is a quick and painless process, often much appreciated by the patient. Here's how it's done. 1. Confirm order for suture removal. Ensure that the wound appears to be well-healed and free of infection. 2. Swab the sutures with your facility's antiseptic of choice. If using Betadine, allow it to dry completely for maximum effect. 3. Using sterile forceps in your non-dominant hand, gently lift the suture. Using sterile scissors, clip the suture as near to the skin as possible. 4. With the forceps, gently lift and remove the snipped suture. If it doesn't slide out, a gentle tug will usually release it. 5. Remove every other stitch. Reassess healing. If adequate, continue removing sutures until all are removed. 6. Reswab the area with antiseptic. 7. Apply adhesive strip(s) or bandage(s) if the area is not fully healed. 8. Document procedure, including a description of the area and the presence of any bleeding, drainage or swelling.
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Snipping the suture as close to the skin as possible minimizes the amount of suture material that is pulled back through the wound, reducing the chances of introducing infection into the tissues.
