Question about having stitches removed.

[CurlewKate]

DP had a cyst removed yesterday-2 stitches due to be removed on August 10. He has now discovered he is supposed to be in a city 200 miles away that week. Would a minor injuries or similar unit there take them out for him? Any other suggestions? What happens if they stay in an extra couple of days? I have suggested that he does the real man thing and take them out himself-but he can’t reach….z

Whereabouts on his body are they, did he have internal and external stitches, how many days over would it be if he left them till he got home. Did they give him post op instructions about cleaning his skin, using vaseline etc.

On his back-no just two external stitches, yes, wound care instructions including Vaseline- and he’d be home two days after the deadline….

A minor injuries unit technically probably could take them out. I had an infection in a surgical wound and I live far from my hospital. The dressings nurse from the hospital sent me to my closest minor injuries and they took photos and she talked them through what to do with it on the phone. But honestly, it will also probably be fine staying in a few extra days.

I’d just tell them now and ask what they suggest he does.

I'd ring the department for advice but if the wound is kept clean and dries out then I'd probably leave it till he got back, make an appointment with the practice nurse anyway.

I recently had the same procedure, also 2 stitches. Because I couldn’t make the date I was told for removal the dr told me that having them out a couple/few days early was preferable to later due to the risk of infection, so if he’s able to get into his surgery before he leaves - with a nurse, he won’t need to see the dr - then that would be preferable to leaving it longer.

Oh, and no, he shouldn’t try and take them out himself. It may only be two stitches but it won’t be healed by then so the risk of infection - especially if anything was left inside, which often happens - will be quite high. Also, it needs to be checked that it’s doing ok and healing effectively, and with it being somewhere he can’t really see it easily means it’s harder to check.