Suturing Errors

In surgery, the method of closing the opening made to get to any organs or ligaments is extremely important. If the wound is not closed properly, it can easily become infected which leads to complications and extended healing time.

Sutures, or stitches, are a complex way of closing a wound similar to hemming two pieces of fabric together. One of the greatest advantages of this method is that it promotes faster healing by holding the pieces of skin closer together. This allows the wound or incision to heal faster because the body has to regenerate less skin to close the gap. While healing faster alone is a good thing, the faster healing time also permits germs less time to infect the wound.

Unfortunately, suturing errors can and do occur. Sometimes a doctor or surgeon may places the stitches too far apart. When this happens, there might not be enough support for the skin, making it possible for the wound to tear itself open again. Placing stitches too close together, on the other hand, may make it very difficult to remove them when the time comes, making it likely that a new injury, albeit smaller, will occur when the stitches are removed.

One of the biggest problems with stitches is that if they are not performed correctly, they can leave behind awful scars. While not generally a problem for parts of the body that are rarely seen, excessive scarring due to poor suturing can be a significant problem on the face and other, more visible areas.

Contact a Philadelphia Personal Injury Lawyer

If you have been a victim of a surgeon’s poor suturing, contact the Philadelphia medical malpractice lawyers of Lowenthal & Abrams, P.C. at 215-238-1130.