Paper stitches after surgery: care and warning signs

Paper stitches are narrow adhesive strips placed across the edges of a wound to support healing. They are different from Surgical Sutures, which are threads placed through the skin. The strips may loosen at the edges as the wound heals. Mild pulling, itching or tenderness can occur, but increasing pain, spreading redness, warmth, swelling, pus or fever may signal a problem.

Follow the discharge instructions from your surgical team. Keep the area clean and avoid soaking it unless you have been told that bathing is safe. Pat gently after washing, do not pick at the strips and avoid applying creams or oils over them unless advised. Wear clothing that will not rub the incision. If a strip lifts, do not pull off the remaining adhesive; contact the team for advice. Wound Care and Dressing guidance can help you understand routine protection.

Contact the surgical team promptly if the wound edges separate, bleeding does not stop with gentle pressure, or redness, warmth, swelling, discharge or pain is increasing. Seek urgent care for heavy bleeding, severe pain, fever with marked illness, or a wound that opens deeply. Ask about Tetanus Vaccination after a contaminated injury or if your vaccination history is uncertain.

Ask how long the strips should remain, whether you may shower or exercise, what to do if one comes away, and which signs mean the incision needs examination. If further closure is needed, ask whether Wound Suturing or another approach is appropriate and whether Lidocaine Local Anaesthetic would be used.