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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Suggest Remedy For Undissolved Stitches On Toe After Bunion Surgery

I had bunion surgery 3 weeks ago. Disolvable stitches..most came out. I see One still on the big toe area. The area is reddish and scabby..under is pus. Put in a call to the doctor over an hour ago..no reply as yet. Should I wash it and then just put a bandage on it for now? Or what Afraid to use baciatracin anything until someone tells me to. I may need an antibiotic. I have RA..so my immune system is a problem. I am basically healthy ..63 year old woman. Thanks.
Thu, 12 Feb 2015
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General & Family Physician 's  Response
thank you for posting your query in healthcaremagic.com....

see for absorbable sutures, it is expected that they dissolve on their own in 3-4 weeks...but you have said that most of the stitches have come out and also you can see one still there but there is pus and the area is reddish and scabby....so there is clearly signs of wound infection and suture site infection....

in these cases we generally take out the sutures, put the patient under antimicrobial therapy, follow up the case, let the wound heal and then make fresh sutures...
so it is a long procedure....
i would suggest you to visit your SURGEON as soon as possible and not do anything on your own....your surgeon will be able to drain the pus if needed and clean the wound and prescribe you antibiotics...

hope this was helpful....
contact me for any other queries anytime....

regards
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Suggest Remedy For Undissolved Stitches On Toe After Bunion Surgery

thank you for posting your query in healthcaremagic.com.... see for absorbable sutures, it is expected that they dissolve on their own in 3-4 weeks...but you have said that most of the stitches have come out and also you can see one still there but there is pus and the area is reddish and scabby....so there is clearly signs of wound infection and suture site infection.... in these cases we generally take out the sutures, put the patient under antimicrobial therapy, follow up the case, let the wound heal and then make fresh sutures... so it is a long procedure.... i would suggest you to visit your SURGEON as soon as possible and not do anything on your own....your surgeon will be able to drain the pus if needed and clean the wound and prescribe you antibiotics... hope this was helpful.... contact me for any other queries anytime.... regards