Margaret Fonder, MD

What’s your diagnosis?

I mean, it’s not really that harsh. But it just isn’t that meaningful of a number to me.

It does seem to be very important to patients though. Their first question after almost any surgery tends to be: “So, what’s the count, Doc? How many stitches?”
I get it. In your mind, a higher number = a more impressive story, a more “serious” procedure. It’s a badge of honor.

But I’m going to let you in on a professional secret: As your doctor, the stitch count is the last thing on my mind.

The number of stitches used in a procedure is simply a reflection of the method used to hold the skin edges together for healing, and is often chosen based on wound length, location, tension, and the type of closure technique used, rather than severity or quality of care.

For example, a tiny, complex repair on a nose might take 30 delicate stitches, whereas a deeper, longer gash on a leg might only take 10.

Stitch count can even be influenced by the type of suture technique used—for example, a running suture might close a long wound with just “one” stitch, while simple interrupted sutures may require more, but the result and healing can be identical.

A high stitch count doesn’t necessarily mean that your surgery was more serious or more impressive. The real “badge of honor” isn’t the number you recite afterwards. It’s the beautiful, healthy result we just achieved.