Suture
A stitch used to hold a wound or surgical incision closed while it heals.
What it means
A suture is a stitch placed to hold tissue edges together while they heal. The word describes both the thread and the act of stitching.
Absorbable sutures dissolve on their own and are used inside the body and often in children. Non-absorbable sutures must be removed, and are used where strength matters or on visible skin.
Alternatives include tissue adhesive (glue), adhesive strips and staples — glue in particular gives excellent cosmetic results on small facial wounds in children.
In practice
Removal timing varies by site, reflecting how much tension the skin is under and how well it is supplied with blood:
- Face — 5 days
- Scalp, arms, trunk — 7 to 10 days
- Back, legs, over joints — 10 to 14 days
Removing sutures too early risks the wound opening; leaving them too long leaves visible cross-marks.
Why it matters
A wound should be assessed for tetanus cover and for foreign material before it is closed — a stitched-over splinter or fragment of glass causes far more trouble than the original wound.
Increasing pain, spreading redness, pus or fever after stitching suggests infection and needs review rather than waiting for the removal appointment.
Clinically reviewed by Dr Mohammad Zubair Khan, GMC 7563469
Last reviewed
August 30, 2026