This is a question I often get asked. Most people’s initial instinct is to have a plastic surgeon put in the stitches. That’s what people in Hollywood would do, right? Unfortunately getting a senior plastic surgeon to come to the ER to put in stitches is next to impossible. Thankfully it is also not necessary.
If your child ever needs stitches I would take them to the ER at Children’s Hospital and ask for either a NP (Nurse Practitioner) or PA (Physician Assistant) to put in the stitches. They put stitches in kids all day long and do just as well if not better than any plastic surgeon. If you do go to the ER and ask for a plastic surgeon chances are you will get a resident who has only put in stitches a handful of times. If you don’t ask for anyone special you will probably get a pediatric resident and they could do a good job (at one point that was me), but if my kids ever need stitches I will definitely have the NP or PA put them in.
We would have to agree. We thank you for your confidence in us. We are glad our passion for children shows in our work.
Pollyanna and Sarah (CHW EDTC PA/NP’s)
Many cuts can be fixed in Children’s Urgent Care. Often Dermabond or “wound glue” can be used instead of stitches. The urgent care physician can discuss the options with the families and often the cut can be fixed without going to the Emergency Room. Difficult cuts, such as around the eye or on fingers and toes, need stitches and the Emergency Room is the place to go. Also, for small children or anxious toddlers, the emergency room can help with medicine to relax the children.
I had stitches put in by Ginny, the PA, over 20 years ago. The scar can barely be seen!