"Spitting" sutures are quit common especially in plastic surgery as we use deep buried absorbable sutures to help maintain the wound strength and minimize scar spreading over the first 6 week to 3 months of healing. Some dissolvable sutures can last 3 months or more. They can present as a sharp point just at the skin surface and sometimes a pimple like infection easily treated with removal in the office. The key is attempting to "bury" the suture as deep in the dermis (strength layer of the skin) to minimize spitting but despite that it is common and fortunately easily treated.

Published on Jul 11, 2012

If you believe you have a complication, the first thing you should do is see your doctor and have him/her examine you. Your doctor should be able to determine the possibility of any complication and handle it accordingly.

I hope that answers your question on regarding your surgery. It’s great that you’re doing this research. I always say that the best patients are informed patients.

Thank you for reading and best of luck on your journey!

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Published on Jul 11, 2012

Unfortunately it is impossible to say exactly when the spitting sutures will stop. I can appreciate how frustrating this is for patients, and trust me it is equally as frustrating for us as surgeons, but I can assure you that it will eventually stop. Your scars will take up to one year to reach full maturity and they will continue to improve in appearance as each day passes. Please be patient and please continue to bring your concerns to your board certified operating surgeon. I wish you all of the best.

Published on Jul 11, 2012

Depending on what sutures he used, you could keep "spitting" them for some time. I would advise using my ScaRxtape to control and help your healing there.

Published on Jul 11, 2012

Yes, there is an "end to this madness" but it may not come as soon as you would like it to. "Spitting" sutures are due to inflammation caused by dissolvable sutures and affects some patients and not others. Even in those who do "spit" sutures it can be only in some parts of the wound and not others. At some point the sutures will have dissolved or "spit" and that is usually within about 3 to 4 months after surgery. The process can leave scars that are less than attractive and you should discuss with your Plastic Surgeon the option for future scar revision attempts... with the intent to use something other than the material/suture that was used in the dermis with you current surgery. I hope this helps.

Published on Jul 11, 2012