| | Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 1,357 Likes: 5 "OCF Canuck" Patient Advocate (1000+ posts) | OP  "OCF Canuck" Patient Advocate (1000+ posts)
Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 1,357 Likes: 5 | After my 1st surgery and neck dissection 5 years ago, my body decided to spit out silk sutures. I don't understand why and all my surgeon says is that it is not a common occurance.
The spitting out consists of a pimple/bump emerging from the skin and when it is opened or opens on its own the suture falls out. I have also had problems with suture granulomas.
It is now 2 years since my 2nd surgery, and we have had a couple of suture issues, but not as bad as the 1st surgery. About 6 months ago I had a lump (if I had a nickel for every time I have said THAT phrase!) and surgical oncologist opened up the area and saw 2 stitches but there wasn't even material to biopsy, so assumption made that it was the sutures causing the trouble. He could not remove the 2 sutures due to the fact that I SCREAMED LIKE HELL whenever he dug around there. CT since then shows all clear.
About a week ago - I had a lump (.05 please) which quickly opened up but this time it started to bleed. This went on for a few days - went to see my surgeons nurse and saw surgeon on Monday. He cauterized the area and I go back on next Weds. It hurts a bit but since cauterization the area is larger!
Has anyone else had these problems with sutures? My surgeon says they are using the best quality hypoallergenic sutures. Why does this happen and why 2 years after surgery???
Any insight would be good. This is the one time when I don't think it is cancer, and I hope my optomism isn't misplaced! How ironic would that be!
Thanks
Donna B
Donna,69, SCC L Tongue T2N1MO Stg IV 4/04 w/partial gloss;32 radtx; T2N2M0 Stg IV; R tongue-2nd partial gloss w/graft 10/07; 30 radtx/2 cispl 2/08. 3rd Oral Cancer surgery 1/22 - Stage 1. 2022 surgery eliminated swallowing and bottom left jaw. Now a “Tubie for Life”.no food envy - Thank God! Surviving isn't easy!!!! .Proudly Canadian - YES, UNIVERSAL HEALTH CARE IS WONDERFUL! (Not perfect but definitely WONDERFUL)
| | | | | Joined: May 2009 Posts: 1,412 Patient Advocate (1000+ posts) | | Patient Advocate (1000+ posts)
Joined: May 2009 Posts: 1,412 | Hmm interesting. I bet someone on here as some answers. I know I keep wondering when the sutures that are on my tongue will dissolve.
Angelia
31 at Dx.
DX: 4/30/09, 10/21/09 SCC on floor of mouth,
T1NOMO, T2N1M0
TX: 39 IMRT, 8 cisplatin 11/30/09
PET/CT: 11/03/09: Lymph node involvement
PEG/PORT: 11/09
TX end: 02/01/10
PET Scan: 04/05/10 clear
PEG Out: 06/21/10
Biopsy: 12/23/10: fibrosis
HBO: 01/04/11 - ORN
Baby girl born 11-30-12
| | | | | Joined: Sep 2009 Posts: 229 Gold Member (200+ posts) | | Gold Member (200+ posts)
Joined: Sep 2009 Posts: 229 | [quote=Pandora99]
The spitting out consists of a pimple/bump emerging from the skin and when it is opened or opens on its own the suture falls out. [/quote]
I did have this occur with the knot at the end of my neck incision. It bubbled up like a big pimple and hurt. He removed it with this last surgery and the other end of the knot has settled down.
Even if it's hypoallergenic suture, some folks are just allergic. It's still a man made product, like a foreign body being inserted.
It's just weird that it's years after the fact.
I hope they get it figured out for you. I know that little bump was painful.
Patty
08-10-09 Partial Glossectomy w/suprahyoid neck dissection
SCC T1NOMX Stage I | 46 years old
| | | | | Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 2,219 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 2,219 | Silk sutures tend to collect alot of debris (food and bacteria) around them, which can account for the swelling (infection).
Dissolving sutures don't tend to do this.
I am surprised that you weren't numbed to get the buried sutures out. Can't understand why he would want to leave a foreign body in there.
Jerry
Retired Dentist, 59 years old at diagnosis. SCC of the left lateral border of the tongue (Stage I). Partial glossectomy and 30 nodes removed, 4/6/05. Nodes all clear. No chemo no radiation 18 year survivor.
"Whatever doesn't kill me, makes me stronger"
| | | | | Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 10,507 Likes: 7 Administrator, Director of Patient Support Services Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Administrator, Director of Patient Support Services Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 10,507 Likes: 7 | Donna, Im so sorry you are having problems. I know how bad it can hurt when the docs dig around without numbing first.
I had a couple staples that were twisted and I screamed like heck when they attempted to remove them. I now have 1 suture that has worked itself to the surface of my arm. This is from a Sept. surgery.
It doesnt make any sense why you are having trouble so long after your surgery. Hope everything is ok next week. Saying prayers for you.
ChristineSCC 6/15/07 L chk & by L molar both Stag I, age44 2x cispltn-35 IMRT end 9/27/07 -65 lbs in 2 mo, no caregvr Clear PET 1/08 4/4/08 recur L chk Stag I surg 4/16/08 clr marg 215 HBO dives 3/09 teeth out, trismus 7/2/09 recur, Stg IV 8/24/09 trach, ND, mandiblctmy 3wks medicly inducd coma 2 mo xtended hospital stay, ICU & burn unit PICC line IV antibx 8 mo 10/4/10, 2/14/11 reconst surg OC 3x in 3 years very happy to be alive  | | | | | Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 1,357 Likes: 5 "OCF Canuck" Patient Advocate (1000+ posts) | | OP "OCF Canuck" Patient Advocate (1000+ posts)
Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 1,357 Likes: 5 | I was frozen with local when he opened up the area. I don't know exactly WHAT hurt like hell, but I am assuming it was when he was digging deeper to try to get the offending and aggravating sutures out. When I started yelling like they were amputating my arm, he quit. (Stoic silence is really overrated - isn't it??)
These are sutures in the tissue of my neck - from the neck dissection, and as such I don't think?? they are picking up food debris but I have been known to spill on the front of my shirt so who knows!
We'll see what happens when I see him next week. They may have to open up the area again, although it has quit bleeding since they cauterized it.
Thanks for the ear all - it is appreciated.
Donna B
Donna,69, SCC L Tongue T2N1MO Stg IV 4/04 w/partial gloss;32 radtx; T2N2M0 Stg IV; R tongue-2nd partial gloss w/graft 10/07; 30 radtx/2 cispl 2/08. 3rd Oral Cancer surgery 1/22 - Stage 1. 2022 surgery eliminated swallowing and bottom left jaw. Now a “Tubie for Life”.no food envy - Thank God! Surviving isn't easy!!!! .Proudly Canadian - YES, UNIVERSAL HEALTH CARE IS WONDERFUL! (Not perfect but definitely WONDERFUL)
| | | | | Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 1,357 Likes: 5 "OCF Canuck" Patient Advocate (1000+ posts) | | OP "OCF Canuck" Patient Advocate (1000+ posts)
Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 1,357 Likes: 5 | Well the suture saga continues. I went back and they have now excised the area and sent - what the surgeon believes to be part of a suture plus the surrounding tissue - off for a biopsy. For some reason that surprised me. I guess I expected him to just remove the stitch and call it a day.
Lord but I do HATE that word biopsy. Anyway, just an update. What will be - will be.
Donna
Donna,69, SCC L Tongue T2N1MO Stg IV 4/04 w/partial gloss;32 radtx; T2N2M0 Stg IV; R tongue-2nd partial gloss w/graft 10/07; 30 radtx/2 cispl 2/08. 3rd Oral Cancer surgery 1/22 - Stage 1. 2022 surgery eliminated swallowing and bottom left jaw. Now a “Tubie for Life”.no food envy - Thank God! Surviving isn't easy!!!! .Proudly Canadian - YES, UNIVERSAL HEALTH CARE IS WONDERFUL! (Not perfect but definitely WONDERFUL)
| | | | | Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 8,311 Senior Patient Advocate Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Senior Patient Advocate Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 8,311 |
David
Age 58 at Dx, HPV16+ SCC, Stage IV BOT+2 nodes, non smoker, casual drinker, exercise nut, Cisplatin x 3 & concurrent IMRT x 35,(70 Gy), no surgery, no Peg, Tx at Moffitt over Aug 06. Jun 07, back to riding my bike 100 miles a wk. Now doing 12 Spin classes and 60 outdoor miles per wk. Nov 13 completed Hilly Century ride for Cancer, 104 miles, 1st Place in my age group. Apr 2014 & 15, Spun for 9 straight hrs to raise $$ for YMCA's Livestrong Program. Certified Spin Instructor Jun 2014.
| | | | | Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 10,507 Likes: 7 Administrator, Director of Patient Support Services Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Administrator, Director of Patient Support Services Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 10,507 Likes: 7 | Donna, have you gotten the results of your test yet?
ChristineSCC 6/15/07 L chk & by L molar both Stag I, age44 2x cispltn-35 IMRT end 9/27/07 -65 lbs in 2 mo, no caregvr Clear PET 1/08 4/4/08 recur L chk Stag I surg 4/16/08 clr marg 215 HBO dives 3/09 teeth out, trismus 7/2/09 recur, Stg IV 8/24/09 trach, ND, mandiblctmy 3wks medicly inducd coma 2 mo xtended hospital stay, ICU & burn unit PICC line IV antibx 8 mo 10/4/10, 2/14/11 reconst surg OC 3x in 3 years very happy to be alive | | | | | Joined: Jan 2009 Posts: 1,844 Patient Advocate (1000+ posts) | | Patient Advocate (1000+ posts)
Joined: Jan 2009 Posts: 1,844 |
Young Frack, SCC T4N2M0, Cisplatin,35+ rads,ND, RT Mandiblectomy w fibular free flap, facial paralysis, "He who has a "why" to live can bear with almost any "how"." -Nietzche "WARNING" PG-13 due to Sarcasm & WAY too much attitude, interact at your own risk.
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