Extreme care is required after a hysterectomy. So the patient and the related ones must be aware of the things that are useful. In some cases, the internal stitches are torn up after days or weeks of surgery. So every patient of a hysterectomy must be aware of, possible risks and symptoms of torn internal stitches after a hysterectomy. There are several types of hysterectomy surgery, but the internal stitches may rarely tear or come apart. Organs like the colon may even force their way through the opening in extreme circumstances.
Understanding Internal Stitches After Hysterectomy
During the vaginal hysterectomy treatment, multiple layers of tissue are closed by internal stitches in the uterus. The area of internal stitches includes muscles around the abdomen, vaginal cuff, and other nearby organs. The thread used in stitches is developed in a way that it dissolves automatically and naturally in a few weeks.
In some cases, the stitches tear or dissolve before the tissues heal properly, known as wound dehiscence. The question arises here in mind that how many internal stitches after a hysterectomy? So, the exact number of stitches is not fixed because it totally depends on the surgery. Like all of the surgeries, laparoscopic, abdominal, and robotic hysterectomies require different stitch areas.
Major Symptoms of Torn Internal Stitches After Hysterectomy
Recognising the symptoms of torn internal stitches in the early phase and getting treatment on time can significantly impact the outcome of recovery. The most common symptoms are listed below:
- Pointy Pain: A distinct type of pain in the abdominal area, different from post-surgical pain, which worsens over time or with movement. It is one of the most common symptoms of torn internal stitches.
- Unusual Discharge: A watery and blood-mixed discharge after a few weeks of surgery. It could be an indication of the torn internal stitches. Discharge may have a foul smell, which suggests the possibility of infection.
- Visible Tissue: In very rare cases, you may see tissues of red and pink colour jutting out of the vagina. It is an appropriate sign of torn stitches inside, which requires immediate medical attention.
- Excessive Bleeding: Spotting blood from the Vagina during recovery is normal. But if the bleeding is heavy or it’s bleeding again and again after several intervals, seek medical attention. Fresh red blood is a sign of worrisome.
- Chills and Fever: A constant fever above 100.4°F with chills is a sign of infection in the surgical area. The cause of infection may be due to torn internal stitches.
- Abdominal Swelling: A feeling of pressure in the abdomen or visible swelling can be a sign of excess fluid in it or internal bleeding due to torn stitches.
- Gas Pain: Gas pain after this surgery is common. You can relieve gas pain after a hysterectomy by walking and gentle movement.
- Nausea and Vomiting: A feeling of vomiting along with abdominal pain could be due to the torn internal stitches, which are disrupting the digestive system.
Risk Factors for Torn Internal Stitches
Several factors increase the risk of torn internal stitches, such as:
- Returning to activities that require quick movements
- Lifting a heavy weight, or anything over 5kg.
- Coughing regularly can affect the stitches.
- Constipation can put pressure on the abdomen.
- Healing can be affected by poor diet and nutrition.
- Obesity and diabetes affect the healing process.
- Smoking and Alcohol consumption impair the circulation.
What Increases the Risk of Torn Internal Stitches?
Several causes might tear the internal stitches as below:
- Unusual Stress: Stitches can rupture as a result of excessive pressure on healing tissues from heavy lifting, exercise, coughing or straining during bowel movements.
- Infection: Internal stitches are rendered ineffective by pathological agents that weaken tissues during the hysterectomy recovery time.
- Premature Dissolution of Stitches: In rare cases, the internal sutures might come loose before the tissues have had enough time to heal and recover.
- Surgical Complications: Poor internal stitches or perishing tissue closure due to a surgical discrepancy are examples of these uncommon complications.
Prevention Strategies for Torn Internal Stitches
Tearing of internal stitches is a rare case, but still, in every case, there is a risk. But you can’t eliminate the risks, but you can surely minimise them. The following are the steps you can take to minimise the risk:
- Don’t avoid the restrictions suggested by your surgeon.
- Avoid heavy exercise for 7-8 weeks.
- Don’t lift heavy weights.
- Have proper vitamins and nutrition to heal fast.
- Consume meat, eggs, and legumes.
- Have Vitamin C, consume citrus fruits and capsicum.
- Incorporate 10 hysterectomy recovery foods into your diet.
- Seeds and nuts for zinc consumption and grains for fibre.
- Intake protein-rich food, which repairs tissue and strengthens the body.
- To avoid these risks, you have to boost the production of natural estrogen after hysterectomy.
- Managing constipation is also important during the recovery to avoid unnecessary complications.
- Instead of having an open surgery, we can go for alternatives to hysterectomy, which doesn’t require stitches, because its minimally invasive.
When to Seek Medical Attention?
As we discussed multiple symptoms above, if you are having any one of them or a combination of them, you need medical assistance on a prior basis. Avoid waiting for the symptom to improve naturally, as it can worsen more with time. Torn internal stitches can lead to a serious complication, then a hysterectomy itself. Torn stitches may cause severe infections, bleeding, or damage the organ. Seek for emergency ward if there is unbearable pain, excessive bleeding, high heart rate, visible tissues or cold skin.
Long-Term Complications and Recovery Timeline
There are several long-term complications of hysterectomy, as well as the recovery time of stitches and complete hysterectomy are below:
Long-Term Complications
Knowing the long-term complications of hysterectomy beyond the torn stitches helps you in the recovery phase, too. Long-term problems may include prolapse of the vaginal vault, in which the upper part of the vagina descends. Issues related to bladder and urinary incontinence, pain in the pelvic area, and dysfunction in bowel movement. Moreover, several women go through menopause after a hysterectomy, when the ovaries are removed. This situation can show symptoms like mood changes, sleep disturbance, and hot flashes. Menopause can occur earlier, even if your ovaries aren’t removed.
Recovery Timeline
Understanding the healing time helps you to plan the things related to recovery in an organised manner. Internal stitches usually take 6 to 8 weeks to dissolve properly. During the first 4 weeks, there is a very high risk of torn stitches when tissues are very fine. Almost every woman continues her physical activity for 7-8 weeks. However, full recovery and complete healing can take several months.
Conclusion
Torn internal stitches are a rare incident; still, it is very important to know the symptoms of torn internal stitches after a hysterectomy. Pre-awareness and knowledge about it can help the torn stitches to detected in time. The outcome can be completely different if treatment starts on time. Don’t ignore the guidelines given by your doctor and follow a proper diet. And also avoid hesitation to contact your doctor about any symptoms or queries. Always remember that every recovery is unique; a thing normal for someone can be challenging for someone else.