Nasty cut gets nastier stitches

Sepp · Mar 26th, 2007, 19:48

Hello,
got myself severly cut in the leg the other day, caused by a sharp concrete edge in a ditch. Like 3, 4 inches long and a bit more than half an inch deep. Not a problem really though, but I ended up in a general hospital and got the worst stitches I ever seen, only like 5 of them and made by a incredibly large needle. Thread made by cotton, I have heard that cotton thread is a cause of infections and what nots.

Anyone with an experience of such matters?

cheers
Sepp

Nick-H · Mar 26th, 2007, 19:55

Is your anti-tetanus inoculation up-to-date? 100% certain?

If not, go get one right NOW

anindya911 · Mar 26th, 2007, 20:31

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sepp

... Thread made by cotton, I have heard that cotton thread is a cause of infections and what nots...
Sepp

Are you sure the threads are of cotton. I don't think any hospital (Govt. or otherwise) would do that.
If you are in doubt, visit another hospital or private nursing home (as it's called here) for a second opinion. It would probably set you back by Rs. 100-500 max.
And as Nick said, if you haven't got an anti-tetanus jab in last three months get it NOW!

Cheers

ba9rn · Mar 26th, 2007, 20:41

Quote:

Originally Posted by anindya911

And as Nick said, if you haven't got an anti-tetanus jab in last three months get it NOW!

Three months is a little OTT! Tetanus injections are effective for at least 10 years. But I do concur that you should have one, especially if you cannot remember the last time you were vaccinated.

capt_mahajan · Mar 26th, 2007, 20:49

Second seeing a decent private doctor, a GP.

Who may well recommend anti tetanus shots.. some of the equipment in Government hospitals is none too clean, besides the ditch.

Nick-H · Mar 26th, 2007, 20:52

And we really do mean NOW this minute.

You can buy the stuff and a disposable syringe from the pharmach and go to a hospital and get a nurse to do it.

It should be done within 24 hrs (I think) of the injury.

ba9rn · Mar 26th, 2007, 21:17

Just found the following advice on a (UK) site... This all points to the advice given above ... GET THE JAB NOW!

Quote:

Note If the wound is at very high risk of being infected with tetanus (for example, if it was contaminated with stable manure), or if your immunity is reduced, you will need the anti-tetanus serum even if your tetanus injections are up to date.

What kind of wounds are most likely to cause tetanus? (tetanus prone)

* any dirty wound or burn
* a wound where there is a lot of damaged tissue
* a puncture wound, for example caused by a thorn or a nail
* a wound contaminated with soil or manure
* an infected wound

If you are in any doubt, seek medical advice

sudheer poppa · Mar 26th, 2007, 21:39

General hospitals are for the really poor people of India, and the supplies are very basic. Yes, they used cottong gauss pads and can be a bit intimidating.

I had a stich administered in a general hospital ages back as it was my only option then and it was a rather scary experience.

And last year another one at a private hospital, where a plastic surgeon trained in UK administered it to me with a local anesthetic and the whole business was very modern and clean. Damage was about 5 euros!

Have no clue, why you had to go to a general hospital

goangoangone · Mar 27th, 2007, 00:45

I had a bike accident and the first thing they gave me was a tetanus jab despite being up to date. Definitely go to a private clinic before bits start dropping off! This is India.

Fullred · Mar 27th, 2007, 01:01

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nick-H

And we really do mean NOW this minute.

You can buy the stuff and a disposable syringe from the pharmach and go to a hospital and get a nurse to do it.

It should be done within 24 hrs (I think) of the injury.

Nick is 100% correct. Get your butt to a hospital ASAP.

crvlvr · Mar 27th, 2007, 01:07

Sepp, How much did you have to pay for your treatment?

capt_mahajan · Mar 27th, 2007, 01:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fullred

Nick is 100% correct. Get your butt to a hospital ASAP.

Considering sepp has not returned here, I think his butt (and the rest of him) may already be in a doctor's clinic.

I certainly hope so

Sepp · Apr 15th, 2007, 17:14

Sorry for the not so swift reply, but the whole thing took a while, after the cotton thread followed the obvious infection and more and more treatment, only at this moment does the infection really tend to get away. Only remanaints is a nasty scar, something to remember the whole thing if I should forget.

Do avoid goverment hospital, especially when it comes to cuts, I went to 5 clinics afterwards and they were all good, about 100 to 200 rupees for each treatment.

I did not take a tetanus shot, it went ok anyway, thanks for the tips.

sepp

Nick-H · Apr 15th, 2007, 17:23

Thanks for posting --- glad to know that you are still alive and recovering. Was seriously worried about the tetanus risk!

SteamBuff · Apr 15th, 2007, 19:03

I would still be worried about Tetanus ... It can take upto 3 weeks after infection to appear. (Infection can happen any time upto when the wound has healed)

Mar 26th, 2007, 19:48	#1
Sepp Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Swden Posts: 14	Nasty cut gets nastier stitches Hello, got myself severly cut in the leg the other day, caused by a sharp concrete edge in a ditch. Like 3, 4 inches long and a bit more than half an inch deep. Not a problem really though, but I ended up in a general hospital and got the worst stitches I ever seen, only like 5 of them and made by a incredibly large needle. Thread made by cotton, I have heard that cotton thread is a cause of infections and what nots. Anyone with an experience of such matters? cheers Sepp

Mar 26th, 2007, 19:55	#2
Nick-H Loud-mouthed, Noisy Bird Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 27,692	Is your anti-tetanus inoculation up-to-date? 100% certain? If not, go get one right NOW __________________ . Just one member of the IndiaMike Mod Team

Mar 26th, 2007, 21:39	#8
sudheer poppa Senior brick in the wall Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Pole Posts: 1,475	General hospitals are for the really poor people of India, and the supplies are very basic. Yes, they used cottong gauss pads and can be a bit intimidating. I had a stich administered in a general hospital ages back as it was my only option then and it was a rather scary experience. And last year another one at a private hospital, where a plastic surgeon trained in UK administered it to me with a local anesthetic and the whole business was very modern and clean. Damage was about 5 euros! Have no clue, why you had to go to a general hospital __________________ We must learn to live together as brothers or perish together as fools - MLK Pic Page 1 Pic Page 2 When my life changed over a week

Mar 27th, 2007, 00:45	#9
goangoangone Monsoon Loon Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Goa Posts: 1,535	I had a bike accident and the first thing they gave me was a tetanus jab despite being up to date. Definitely go to a private clinic before bits start dropping off! This is India. __________________ GoanGoan......here

Apr 15th, 2007, 17:14	#13
Sepp Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Swden Posts: 14	getting better Sorry for the not so swift reply, but the whole thing took a while, after the cotton thread followed the obvious infection and more and more treatment, only at this moment does the infection really tend to get away. Only remanaints is a nasty scar, something to remember the whole thing if I should forget. Do avoid goverment hospital, especially when it comes to cuts, I went to 5 clinics afterwards and they were all good, about 100 to 200 rupees for each treatment. I did not take a tetanus shot, it went ok anyway, thanks for the tips. sepp

Mar 26th, 2007, 20:49	#5
capt_mahajan (in charge of navel affairs) Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: India Posts: 10,509	Second seeing a decent private doctor, a GP. Who may well recommend anti tetanus shots.. some of the equipment in Government hospitals is none too clean, besides the ditch.

Mar 26th, 2007, 20:52	#6
Nick-H Loud-mouthed, Noisy Bird Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 27,692	And we really do mean NOW this minute. You can buy the stuff and a disposable syringe from the pharmach and go to a hospital and get a nurse to do it. It should be done within 24 hrs (I think) of the injury.

Mar 27th, 2007, 01:07	#11
crvlvr Guru Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Hollywood Posts: 4,498	Sepp, How much did you have to pay for your treatment?

Apr 15th, 2007, 17:23	#14
Nick-H Loud-mouthed, Noisy Bird Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 27,692	Thanks for posting --- glad to know that you are still alive and recovering. Was seriously worried about the tetanus risk!

Apr 15th, 2007, 19:03	#15
SteamBuff Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Essex, Endland Posts: 370	I would still be worried about Tetanus ... It can take upto 3 weeks after infection to appear. (Infection can happen any time upto when the wound has healed)

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