As a rule, a cesarean section in most cases ends with the application of external cosmetic sutures that heal with the formation of an imperceptible and thin scar. At the same time, the duration of the recovery period, as well as the quality of the resulting scar, will largely depend on the care of the cut surface. Complications of cosmetic sutures after cesarean section are very rare, but they are successfully resolved if you seek help from a specialist in time. Over time, the external scar can be corrected using hardware, cosmetic, as well as surgical procedures. In this article we will get acquainted with the features of cosmetic sutures after cesarean section, photos, as well as the features of care. But first you need to figure out what this operation is.
Cesarean section
Caesarean section is a cavity operation, which is accompanied by a sequential dissection of the layers of soft tissue. As a rule, after the fetus is removed, the soft tissue layers are connected using suture material.
Almost always, the edges of the external incision of the abdominal anterior wall are fixed by applying a cosmetic suture after cesarean section. After the healing of this suture, an inconspicuous and thin scar appears. In most cases, it does not cause any discomfort to the patient, either psychological or physical.
And how long does a cesarean section last? As a rule, this procedure takes about 30-40 minutes. However, note that if such an operation is not the first, then the duration may be longer. Therefore, it is impossible to unequivocally answer the question of how long the cesarean section lasts.
Varieties of external seams and cuts
Regardless of location, size, or other factors, dissection of the external tissue may be transverse or longitudinal. A longitudinal section is also often called vertical. In medicine, it is called "corporal caesarean section." Such an incision is made over the entire surface of the abdominal wall, starting from the navel and ending with the pubis.
This type of operation is used only in emergency cases, when the patient or the fetus needs emergency ambulance. In this situation, due to the high risk of divergence of muscle tissue during exercise, their integrity is restored by a simple, rather than cosmetic, suture. However, there are other indications for corporal caesarean section, which are as follows:
- Varicose veins in the lower part of the uterus.
- Severe adhesion process, as well as the inability to penetrate the lower segment of the uterus.
- Significant prematurity of the baby, as well as the unreadiness of the female body for childbirth.
- Planned uterine excision after surgery.
- The presence of a longitudinal scar after the planned operation.
- The need to extract a living fetus from a dying or dead woman.
- Pathology of the fetus, such as fused twins, lateral position and much more.
Today, in the case of an uncomplicated planned cesarean section, laparotomy is most often used, which provides the best aesthetic effect with the highest scar strength. A transverse large incision is made along an arc above the pubis. The scar that forms after this action almost merges with the fold of skin in the lower abdomen, and most often it is difficult to distinguish.
Cosmetic suture after cesarean section
The type of threads and the technique for suturing the resulting wound are selected depending on the features of the operation, as well as in accordance with some diseases or complications that are present in the patient. Atraumatic special needles, as well as other instruments used in the field of plastic surgery, are used to apply a cosmetic suture after cesarean section. As a rule, these tools do not injure the skin and subcutaneous fatty tissue of patients. The suture material is a thin monofilament or polyfiber and a thread of silk, polyester or synthetic material.
Today, subcutaneous sutures are most often used, which are able to independently resolve within a few weeks after surgery. If for some reason it is not possible to impose them, then the integrity of the tissue can be restored with non-absorbable threads. In this case, the ligature is removed approximately one week after surgery. Removal of sutures, as a rule, in patients coincides with the day of discharge from the hospital.
Seam Features
What are the features of a cosmetic seam? This should include:
- Passes inside the skin.
- It is performed by special atraumatic needles, as well as very thin threads.
- It forms an inconspicuous and delicate scar that does not cause any discomfort to a woman.
- Almost invisible on the surface of the skin.
You can clearly see in the photo what the cosmetic seam looks like. During the application of this suture, the surrounding tissues are much less injured than in the case of the usual technique of suturing layers of the skin. This method not only allows specialists to achieve the maximum aesthetic result, but also significantly reduce the risks of developing all kinds of complications. In addition, such a cosmetic seam significantly accelerates the patient's recovery. This is precisely the difference between a cosmetic seam and an ordinary one.
A postoperative thin scar is formed due to the use of special self-absorbable sutures: lavsan, silk, prolene or vicryl. Such materials are able to withstand heavy loads, as well as provide very reliable healing of postoperative wounds.
Can I shoot on my own?
So, we have examined the difference between a cosmetic seam and a regular one, as well as its features. But is it possible to remove it yourself at home? Experts say that it is not necessary to remove the intradermal cosmetic suture. After 3-4 months, the sutures dissolve independently without the use of any additional procedures. But if the patient has complications in the form of a divergence of threads or inflammation of the suture, then you should seek help from your doctor.
Features of seam care
Many women who have undergone this kind of operation are wondering how to process the suture after cesarean, and how long the wound will heal. Provided there are no complications, superficial restoration of muscle tissue occurs over 2 weeks. The final scar is formed after 12-18 months. The duration of the recovery period will directly depend on the quality of care for the scar surface. That is why it is so important to know how and how to process the seam after cesarean section.
Postoperative care
When in the hospital, the surface of the suture is daily treated by specialists with special antiseptic solutions, and sterile dressings are applied from above, using breathable materials.
For several days after surgery, a woman should also take painkillers. In order to prevent the development of infectious and inflammatory processes, broad-spectrum antibiotics are prescribed.
Physical activity should be increased gradually, preventing possible damage to the ligature.
How to care at home?
In order to normal scar tissue after discharge, a woman must follow certain rules and recommendations, which are as follows:
- Before complete healing of the suture from cesarean section, it must be disinfected. To do this, you can use chlorhexidine, hydrogen peroxide or any other antiseptics, but you should still consult your doctor in advance.
- You should also wear a special bandage after cesarean section. It limits the mobility of soft tissues. In addition, the bandage after cesarean section will exclude the possibility of seam divergence.
- Several times a day, you need to take air baths, while exposing the lower abdomen.
- Strong physical exertion should be limited, as well as lifting heavy objects weighing more than 2 kg. You need to take your baby in your arms, clutching to your chest. During this action, a postoperative bandage, as mentioned above, should also be worn on the stomach.
- Mechanical effects on the wound surface should be avoided. Therefore, do not scratch or rub your stomach, use hard towels, cosmetics, or wear uncomfortable types of clothing with belts and hard belts.
- Shower is allowed only after the removal of stitches.
- It is imperative to monitor the restoration of the muscle layer and uterus using ultrasound in the period prescribed by the doctor.
In addition to the fact that you need to wear a postoperative bandage on your stomach, you should also smear the scar with olive, sea buckthorn and other oils. After consulting with a specialist, you can use "Contractubex" or "Solcoseryl" to speed up the healing process.
Postoperative Recovery
The duration of the rehabilitation period will largely depend on the individual characteristics of the female body, the professionalism of doctors, as well as on the quality of the surgical intervention. Despite this, for some time, most patients after cesarean section may experience discomfort that is different in nature and intensity. Normally, the following symptoms may occur, even if you know what a cosmetic suture after cesarean is and how to care for it:
- Moderate pain in the area of the anterior abdominal wall for 3-5 weeks.
- A dense and convex scar up to two months after the operation.
- Isolation of a sucrose, which is a yellowish or clear liquid, with a slight admixture of blood from the wound during the first week.
- Mild skin itching for 2 weeks after birth.
In the event that all the listed symptoms to the patient cause severe discomfort and anxiety, it is necessary to inform your doctor about them. If itching, pain, burning, and also discharge do not go away during the indicated time or increase, then medical compulsory care will be required.
Possible unpleasant complications
So, we have examined how much a cosmetic suture heals after a cesarean section. However, this time may be delayed if the patient has various kinds of complications. The early ones include the following:
- The inflammatory process in the wound after infection. As a rule, this is accompanied by swelling of the seam, suppuration, as well as swelling of the surrounding skin. In parallel with this, the patient's body temperature rises, chills appear, and overall health worsens.
- Divergence of the contour of the wound, as well as rupture of the threads. In most cases, this occurs due to the early removal of threads, as well as high physical exertion or injury.
- Hematomas and bleeding due to extensive damage to blood vessels or certain vascular diseases in women in labor.
All of the above early complications are usually diagnosed in a hospital setting or during the first days after the patient’s discharge. Treatment will depend on the severity and nature of the pathology. Therapy includes the use of antibiotics, hemostatic agents, as well as additional suturing or dressing of the wound.
Most of the unpleasant consequences of caesarean section manifest themselves a few months after birth. The most common late complication is the appearance of ligature fistulas, which are formed due to the reflection of suture material by the human body, as well as infection of the thread. Symptoms will be as follows:
- Periodically appearing suppuration.
- Slight pain and redness in the scar area.
- The gradual appearance of several or one holes in the skin, in which you can see the ligature stitches.
In case of signs of ligature fistulas, you should immediately contact the clinic for surgical removal of the remaining threads, as well as for wound treatment.
As for the most rare complications, keloid scars and hernias, which are bulging soft tissue on the surface of the scar, should be included here. Keloid scars do not pose any threat to the patient’s health; they cause only cosmetic discomfort. As a rule, such scars appear only in those women who have a predisposition to strong tissue growth.
Re-suturing
In the most advanced cases, specialists are forced to completely remove the existing scar, overlapping the ligature again. This will depend on how badly damaged muscle layers, skin and subcutaneous tissue. Often, cosmetic seams are replaced with conventional ones.
The recovery period after another surgical intervention will be increased several times. In this case, you should pay attention to the fact that the re-formed scar will become the most convex, noticeable and rough. That is why, if any suspicious symptom occurs that signals a violation of the normal healing of wounds, you should seek help from the clinic, avoiding any serious consequences.
Scar Correction
Even a well-made suture after cesarean section will not guarantee the formation of a thin and neat scar in the future. Over the years, some women complain of brightly colored, uneven in width, dented or bulging scars. Fortunately, there are several correction methods, for example:
- Scrubbing and peeling with the use of special cosmetic preparations that can be used independently at home. They are allowed to be used only for external improvement of scars after consultation with a therapist or cosmetologist.
- Hardware polishing of the scar with the help of abrasive nozzles, which is carried out in specialized clinics. In order to achieve a stable and visible result, a similar procedure should be carried out in the amount of several sessions.
- Laser resurfacing, which provides a deep impact on the scar and eliminates severe bumps.
- Abdominoplasty, which is a surgical tightening of the abdominal muscles with the formation of new scars, but of the smallest size.
- Injection of drugs that prevent the growth of a keloid scar.
- Massage. You should not expect a global effect from this procedure. However, a slight improvement can be achieved. Strengthen the effect of softening, as well as reduce scars will help special massage movements and creams. Massage begins only after complete healing of the sutures, with gentle, gentle movements, slightly pressing on the scar with the fingertips. The procedure must be repeated several times every day for 5 minutes.
It is necessary to pay attention to the fact that these methods have a number of contraindications, and also do not allow a woman to completely get rid of the resulting scars.
Cost of a cosmetic seam
And how much does a cosmetic suture after cesarean section cost? As a rule, the cost will be different, depending on the complexity of the operation, as well as on the region and the level of the clinic. It should be noted that in state clinics this procedure is absolutely free. If we talk about paid clinics, then the cost will be several thousand rubles.
In conclusion, it is worth noting that cosmetic seams after cesarean section are increasingly performed not only in private clinics, but also in state ones. However, it is still worthwhile to check with the surgeons in advance what seams they will impose.