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After the biopsy

Stitches After a Biopsy: — Removal and Care

If you left the clinic with a dressing and no clear instructions, you are not alone. Many people are unsure whether their stitches dissolve, need removing, or whether they have stitches at all. This page gives you a practical answer for each type of biopsy wound.

Medically reviewed by Dr. Bharati Devi Gorantla, Medical Oncologist, MBBS · MD · DM (Adyar, Chennai) · ECMO · MRCP SCE (UK) · Last reviewed September 2026

  • Not every biopsy has stitches — Needle biopsies usually close on their own. Stitches are placed only when a cut was made.
  • Two kinds of stitches — Dissolving stitches break down on their own over time. Non-dissolving ones must be taken out.
  • Your team sets the removal date — If you were not given a return date before you left, ask before your next scheduled appointment.
  • Know what to watch for — Most wounds heal without any problem. A few signs mean you should call your team the same day.
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Whether you have stitches depends on the type of biopsy you had. Needle biopsies often leave no stitches at all. When stitches are used, some dissolve on their own. Others need to be removed by your team, and they will give you a specific date before you leave.

Are stitches used after every biopsy?

Not every biopsy requires stitches. Whether you have them depends on how the tissue was removed.

Needle biopsies go through the skin without making a cut. The mark they leave is small enough to close on its own with pressure and a dressing. You will not have stitches after these procedures.

Surgical biopsies, excision biopsies, and some skin biopsies involve a small cut. These are closed with stitches, sometimes with a medical adhesive, or occasionally with both. Your team will tell you which was used.

When do stitches come out, and how?

If your stitches are the dissolving kind, they do not need to come out. They break down gradually as the wound heals, and any remaining fragments shed on their own.

If your stitches do not dissolve, a nurse or doctor must remove them. This is a simple procedure and is not painful in the way the biopsy was. Your team should give you a return date before you leave.

If you left without a date and are unsure whether your stitches dissolve, call the clinic to check. Do not guess, and do not try to remove them yourself.

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How do you care for the wound at home?

  1. Leave the dressing in place

    Keep the original dressing on for as long as your team advises. Lifting it early to check underneath can disturb the wound.

  2. Keep the wound dry

    Do not let water touch the wound until your team says it is safe. You may need to cover it when bathing or showering.

  3. Watch for normal healing

    Mild bruising, slight swelling, and a dull ache in the first few days are expected and should settle gradually.

  4. Do not scratch or pick at the wound

    This includes any scab that forms. Pulling at the wound can open it or dislodge a stitch.

  5. Return on the date your team gave you

    Bring any written instructions you received. If you were not given a date, call the clinic before the week is out.

When should you call your team or go to hospital?

Call your team the same day if your wound is opening — if you can see the edges separating — or if a stitch appears to have pulled through the skin.

Also call the same day if bleeding is soaking through the dressing and not settling with gentle pressure, or if you notice discharge from the wound that is increasing, smelling, or becoming thicker.

Go to the nearest emergency department if bleeding is heavy and not stopping, or if you develop a fever alongside a wound that is becoming more painful and red. Do not wait for a scheduled appointment in either case.

What else do people ask about biopsy stitches?

My stitches are dissolving — what will they look like as they go?

Dissolving stitches look like ordinary stitches at first. As the days pass you may notice them becoming thinner, darker, or slightly crusty at the knot. Small pieces may appear in your dressing or fall away when you wash the area once your team says it is safe to do so. You do not need to return for removal. If a small fragment remains on the surface after the wound has healed, it will shed on its own.

Can I shower or get the wound wet while stitches are in?

Your team will tell you when it is safe to let water touch the wound. Until then, keep it dry — you may need to cover it when bathing or showering. Once they say it is safe, wet the area gently and pat it dry rather than rubbing. Soaking in a bath, pool, or sea should be avoided for longer, as prolonged moisture can soften the wound before it is ready to handle it. Follow your team's instruction over any general advice.

What if a stitch falls out before my appointment?

A single stitch coming out early, without the wound opening, is not usually an emergency. Keep the area covered and call your team the same day so they can decide whether you need to come in. If the wound edges are separating — if you can see the wound opening up — cover it with a clean dressing and go to your team or to a walk-in clinic that day. Do not try to re-close the wound yourself.

Is it safe to exercise before stitches are removed?

Gentle movement is usually fine, but anything that stretches or puts tension on the wound should wait until stitches are out and the area has healed. This includes heavy lifting, vigorous exercise, and large arm or trunk movements if that is where the biopsy was done. The right answer depends on where the biopsy was and what you plan to do. Ask your team before returning to sport or the gym.

The wound is pink and slightly raised — is that normal?

Some redness, mild swelling, and a raised ridge along the wound are part of normal healing and do not mean infection. A fresh wound can also feel warmer than the skin around it. What is not normal is redness spreading beyond the wound edge, pain that is increasing rather than settling, discharge that smells or thickens, or a fever. If you notice any of those, call your team the same day rather than waiting.

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Common questions

Frequently asked questions

How do I know if my stitches dissolve or need removing?

Your team should tell you before you leave the clinic. If they did not, check any paperwork or dressing instructions you were given. If you are still unsure, call the clinic and ask directly — it is one of the most common questions people forget to ask on the day. The answer matters because non-dissolving stitches have a removal date, and leaving them in past that date can make them harder to take out.

Will the biopsy leave a scar?

Most biopsies leave a small mark, and how visible it is depends on how the biopsy was done. Needle biopsies usually leave very little visible trace. A surgical or excision biopsy leaves a linear scar at the wound site. Scars from a well-healed wound typically fade over months, though they rarely disappear entirely. If you are concerned about scarring in a visible area, ask your team at your follow-up appointment.

Do I need to change the dressing at home?

Some people are sent home with instructions to change the dressing after a set number of days; others are told to leave it until the appointment. Follow what your team said. If the dressing gets wet, soiled, or falls off early, cover the wound with a clean dry dressing and call the clinic to ask what to do next. Do not leave a wound uncovered for longer than needed while you wait for advice.

Can I take a painkiller for discomfort around the stitches?

Mild discomfort around a biopsy wound is normal in the first few days. Ask your team before you leave which painkiller is suitable for you, or call the clinic if you forgot to ask. Not all over-the-counter painkillers are appropriate after a procedure, depending on what else you are taking. Do not take more than the recommended dose, and stop and call your team if the pain is getting worse rather than settling.

I had a biopsy inside the body — does this page apply to me?

An internal biopsy — such as one done through the lung, liver, or a lymph node — is usually performed through a needle rather than a cut, and you will not have skin stitches. The aftercare is different and your team will give you specific instructions. The wound care information on this page is mainly relevant to biopsies where a cut was made on the surface of the skin. If you are unsure what type you had, ask your team.

Full index

Browse all 701 biopsy topics

Every page in this section, grouped by the part of the journey it belongs to. Pick a group to see what is in it.

What Is a Biopsy?

What Is a Biopsy? Everything You Need to Know →

Types of Biopsy Compared

Which Biopsy Will You Have? Techniques Compared →

Preparing for a Biopsy

What to Expect on the Day of Your Biopsy →

Recovery and Aftercare

After a Biopsy: Recovery, Aftercare and Warning Signs →

Biopsy by Body Part

Biopsy by Body Part: What to Expect at Each Site →

Understanding Your Report

How to Read a Biopsy Report: Terms Explained →

IHC and Molecular Markers

IHC and Molecular Markers on a Biopsy: What They Mean →

Grading and Scoring Systems

Cytology & Prostate Scoring Systems Explained →

How Accurate Is a Biopsy?

How Accurate Is a Biopsy? Errors and Second Opinions →

If Your Result Is Benign

Your Biopsy Is Benign: What It Means and What Comes Next →

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