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Date issued: July 2023

Review date: July 2025

Ref: B-4878/Maxillofacial/TK/Facial lacerations

PDF:  Facial lacerations final July 2023.pdf[pdf] 226KB

Introduction

The purpose of this leaflet is to explain the procedure and answer some commonly asked questions. If you have any further questions, please contact the oral and maxillofacial department using the contact information provided at the end of this leaflet.

The problem

The cut on your face needs to be stitched with local anaesthetic. The doctor examining you has decided it is too big to be glued or taped.

What does this involve?

The wound will be numbed up with local anaesthetic and cleaned. The wound may require a few layers of closure i.e.: some stitches are placed underneath the skin to hold the deeper tissues together before the skin surface is stitched. The deeper stitches are made of a dissolvable material, and so they do not need to be removed since they disappear on their own. The skin stitches will need to be removed usually after 5-7 days in some cases up to 10 days. At the end, a dressing may be put over the wound.

What can I expect afterwards?

You may experience:

Some discomfort or pain the first few days for which you can take regular over the counter pain killers.

Some swelling or bruising around the area usually in first 48 hours, it can be improved by sleeping propped upright for the first few days.

You will need to make an appointment to have your skin stitches removed usually in 5-7 days but in some cases up to 10 days. This can be done at your GP practice.

It is important to keep any stitches or dressings dry until they are removed. After 48 hours, you may have a shower and gentle wash around the face. Some wounds may require topical antibiotics. Your doctor will provide some if needed. This is a fingertip amount to be applied once or twice a day with a dabbing action.

What are the possible problems?

1. If you are experiencing excessive swelling, spreading redness, progressively worsening pain, pus leaking from the wound, these may be signs of infection, please consult a doctor.

2. Bleeding from the wound is unlikely to be a problem but should it occur when you get home it can usually be stopped by applying pressure over the site for at least 10 minutes with a clean rolled up handkerchief or swab.

3. If your wound breaks down and opens within first few days, please contact the department.

4. The wound may appear red for several weeks after removal of the stitches. This is normal. Sometimes there is a little bit of discomfort from the scar when the deeper stitches dissolve a few months after they have been put in.

5. Scarring of the site is common and usually reduces with time, but some cases may need revision in the future.

Contact Information

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the hospital switchboard on

Tel: 01752202082

And ask to be put to the Oral and Maxillofacial Department.

Maxillofacial Department is open Mon-Fri 9am to 5pm.

I need my stitches out in:

I need my stitches out in: 5-7 days       10  days       Please make appointment with your GP practice nurse.