What it means
A single pass of surgical thread through the tissue, tied to hold the wound edges together; "stitches" usually means all of the sutures in a wound. Some dissolve on their own, while others are removed after the wound has healed enough, often in about 5 to 14 days depending on the body part. A "side stitch" is a different use: a sharp pain in the side during exercise.
For the nurse
Teach the client how to keep the stitches clean and dry, signs of infection to report (redness, warmth, swelling, pus, fever), and when to return to have them taken out.
At a glance
| Everyday words | stitches in a cut |
|---|---|
| Spanish | punto de sutura |
| Also written | stitches |
Related terms
laceration
A cut or tear in the skin or other tissue, often with jagged edges.
suture
A stitch, or the thread used to stitch, that holds the edges of a wound or incision together.