Direct closure of a wound
After removing your skin growth, your surgeon may be able to close your wound directly, meaning that the wound is simply stitched closed
How is a wound closed directly?
Usually, the wound after skin growth removal will be a round or oval shape. If this was stitched closed at this point, the two ends of the wound would ‘poke up’ or bulge. To counter this and try to leave a flatter scar, the surgeon will cut these ‘bulges’ out at the same time. This means the scar will be longer, but flatter. Occasionally small bulges can remain though.
The surgeon will also usually try to close your wound so that the scar is orientated in the most cosmetic way.
Will dissolving stitches be used?
This can vary depending on factors such as size of wound, location, width of wound, and surgeon preference. Quite often, dissolving stitches will be put deep into the wound, giving it more strength while the scar forms.
For the top layer of skin, either dissolving or non-dissolving stitches may be used.
Sometimes, the surgeon can use a subcuticular stitch. This is a stitch that runs inside the top layer of skin, so as it dissolves it won’t leave stitch marks. This stitch can’t always be used though.
When do the stitches need to be taken out?
When dissolving stitches are used, these usually ‘melt away’ and fall out after about 7-10 days. You therefore don’t need to have these removed, but they can sometimes leave small stitch marks (pin-point scars) either side of the main scar.
Non-dissolving stitches are usually taken out at around 5-10 days, depending on which part of the body they have been used. They can usually just be cut with fine scissors and slid out of the wound pretty painlessly.
This information is for general information only & does not replace that of a skin specialist. If you have any concerns about your health or are considering any treatments, you should seek advice from a healthcare specialist
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