Wound Suturing

Wound suturing uses stitches to bring suitable wound edges together after careful cleaning and assessment of the injury.

Stitches can support healing, reduce edge separation, and protect deeper tissue while the skin repairs. They are not appropriate for every cut: the timing of the injury, contamination, bite risk, tissue damage, location, and the person’s health all affect the plan.

Once the wound is closed, the separated edges are supported immediately. Local anaesthetic is commonly used so that the procedure is more comfortable, although you may still notice pressure or pulling. Tenderness and swelling around the injury can continue as healing begins, and the wound should gradually become less sore rather than more painful.

Minor bleeding, bruising, swelling, tightness, itching, or tenderness near the stitches can occur. Adhesive dressings may irritate nearby skin. Increasing pain, spreading redness, heat, pus, fever, a bad smell, numbness, or a wound that opens should be assessed promptly because these may indicate infection, pressure, or another complication.

Stitches stay in place until the wound has gained enough strength for their removal or until dissolvable material breaks down. The timing varies with the body area, tension across the wound, and healing progress. Your clinician will tell you when to return; do not pull out stitches or trim loose ends yourself unless specifically instructed.

Suturing is performed after an examination of the wound and nearby nerves, tendons, blood supply, and movement when relevant. The clinician may recommend tetanus vaccination depending on the injury and your vaccination history. Closing a wound does not remove the need to keep it clean or to watch for infection.

Stitches may be considered for a cut with edges that remain apart, a wound that is deep, or an injury where closure would support function or protection. They may be unsuitable where infection risk is high or tissue is badly damaged. Cuts and lacerations near the face, joints, hands, or areas with altered sensation deserve careful assessment.

The area is examined, bleeding is controlled, and the wound is cleaned. Local anaesthetic may be injected or applied. The clinician aligns the edges and places sutures, then checks that the closure sits appropriately before applying a dressing. They will explain wound care, activity limits, tetanus needs, and the plan for stitch removal or review.

Keep the area clean and follow instructions on bathing, dressing changes, and activity. Avoid stretching, soaking, or knocking the wound while stitches are supporting it. Attend the arranged review even if the wound looks settled. Seek urgent help for uncontrolled bleeding, a deepening gap in the wound, marked swelling, loss of movement, or signs of infection.

A sutured wound can become infected, bleed again, reopen, heal with a scar, or develop irritation around the stitches. Rarely, damage beneath the skin may become more apparent after the initial injury. Early review is particularly important when increasing pain is paired with redness, discharge, fever, altered sensation, or reduced movement.

Depending on the injury, a clinician may use adhesive strips, tissue adhesive, a dressing-only plan, delayed closure, or referral for more complex care. Wound care and dressing may be the safer option when a wound needs observation or is not suitable for immediate closure. The decision follows examination of the wound rather than its appearance alone.

Attend a clinic or urgent-care service that can examine and close wounds, provide local anaesthetic, and arrange follow-up. Bring details of the injury, first aid already given, medicines, allergies, and vaccination history. For severe bleeding, major trauma, or rapidly worsening symptoms, contact emergency services.