Does anyone have stitch tunnels after their (adult/adolescent) circumcision?

I’m hearing that post-circumcision, stitch tunnels commonly occur where dissolvable stitches are left to disappear by themselves, i.e. as they’re designed to do. I’m therefore puzzled why this forum isn’t full of guys asking for advice regarding their stitch tunnels, indeed I’ve searched and have found no mention. I’ve even searched wider on the internet for information and examples without success.

I’d like to ask, does anyone have such stitch tunnels and can illustrate what they look like or is their existence merely a myth? Just to be clear, I’m not talking about skin bridges which is an entirely different issue.

Thanks.

[Glpi123]

To be honest, I guess it can be some sort of a myth. I say that based on my own experience, but I also searched for a little bit on the internet and found no scientific evidences or even pictures from people in this forum. I myself had stiches for more than 2-3 weeks and when they felt they indeed left a "whole" where they used to be, but our skin really regenerates fast... so that now (after 2,5 months) you can barely identify where the stitches where (while before it was quite evident). Look, in my case I got a complication from 3 stiches popping during the first week. It took me 5 more weeks for the wound to heal "open" (I posted a picture of it). Another skin, which is some sort of a mix between the inner foreskin and the outside one, grew ovew there, so you can't really see anything or bit scar. Same is if you have your ear pierced. If you take out the piercing, within a few days the whole is closed naturally (in my case, it closed on the same day...).

So I guess much of what we read on the internet is actually people speculating over things they don't know much about, regardless of their "good intentions".

[Glpi123 in reply to Glpi123]

or a big scar*

[Hidden in reply to Glpi123]

Thanks for your response.

I looked back at your picture, it looked a mess at that time. You didn’t have a very good recovery and certainly seemed to ‘go through the mill’. How is it now, sounds like it eventually healed OK?

[CircAdultdone in reply to Glpi123]

Definitely no myth. I posted a pic under 'Stitch tunnels after adult circumcision'.

[TheycallmeDee]

Mine Took 5-6 weeks to come out and I haven’t seen any 🤷🏾‍♂️

[Nigel5975]

This link contains photos of a great example of stitch tunnels corrected in a revision circumcision done by Dr David Cornell at Circumcision Center Atlanta: circumcisioncenter.com/Gall...

Doctor Cornell believes stitch tunnels are a result of stitches being tied too tight and not a result of the stitches being left in “too long”

He goes on to describe stitches tied too tightly deprive the skin tissue below the surface of oxygen and as a result the skin looses pigmentation causing look of a Frankenstein scar or railroad track markings, stitch tunnels- whatever you want to call them. They are not a myth as evidenced by the photos in link.

[roddythescot in reply to Nigel5975]

Dr Cornell's page that you referenced deals exclusively with 'railroad track' markings and says nothing about 'stitch tunnels' which are a separate matter.

The 'railroad tracks' are indeed the result of stitches tied too tightly and compressing the skin, cutting off blood supply.

'Stitch tunnles' leave holes through the skin just like piercings and are caused when the skin around a stitch fully heals before the stitch is removed (whether naturally or deliberately). This is just the same as a piercing which will self-seal if no ring or bar is placed in it whilst the skin around the (desired) hole is healing.

The problem with tunnels is that they can (and usually do) collect dirt and other waste which can become infected. They also look unappealing (as do 'tracks'). Once a tunnel has developed the only treatment is to cut off the top and leave a 'hollow' where it was.

Since prevention is always better than cure, it is best to ensure that the stitches are removed before tunnels can form.

Soluble sutures were developed for use deep in the body during major operations to avoid having to open up the outer layers again to remove them. There is no need to consider cosmetic matters when hidden deep inside the body, so any 'tunnels' are of no consequence there. Deep inside there is also normally a plentiful supply of lymph carrying the enzymes which dissolve the sutures. However on the surface (as in circumcision) the lymph - and hence enzyme - supply is much less, hence sutures that remain for too long. It is worth noting that cosmetic surgeons always remove their sutures, even if designated as soluble, to avoid leaving any marks on the skin.

[Hidden in reply to roddythescot]

NHS guidance on soluble sutures: nhs.uk/common-health-questi...

[Slitit in reply to roddythescot]

I'm NOT A MAN, i(I'm a 65 year old woman) but I have vulval stitch tunnels from surgery 15 to 20 years ago which haven't caused any problems until this past year where I've had constant UTIs and vulval inflamation with 5 stitch tunnels becoming apparent as inflamed and irritated holes. I cant find any ref to stitch tunnels in vulva on internet either so I apologise for hijacking your forum.

My previous antibiotics that have helped all 7 times this year, it isnt working this time. I agree with the assertion in above post that slitting the top open can be the only solution but in these covid days that just cant happen. It's making me feel rubbish. Anyone with temporary solutions out there?

[Hidden in reply to Slitit]

Sorry to hear of your problem, were your stitches dissolvable or did they require removal?

[Slitit in reply to Hidden]

They were soluble. I am assuming that because it has been so many years since my surgery, it has become an issue due to decline in oestrogen which is known to lead to atrophy down there. The stitch holes just seem to have appeared.

[Hidden in reply to Slitit]

Oh dear, that must be really disheartening having thought the surgery was behind you and then for these holes to suddenly appear. Obviously you’ve seen a doctor about it as you’ve had antibiotics prescribed, what’s the next option or hasn’t that been discussed?

I underwent an orchidopexy for undescended testicle when I was 11 and had non-soluble sutures that required removal. So I have a nice big scar on my abdomen but thankfully its never given me any problems.

[Slitit in reply to Hidden]

Nothing been discussed. I did wonder if I had mesh but apparently not. Will have to wait till covid is under control then get them seen to I suppose. Estrodial is helping but still very regular visitor. Was taking prophylactic antibiotics then stopped. Back on them again till dog knows when

[Hidden in reply to Slitit]

I wish you good luck with that and hope you manage to get it resolved soon.

[Slitit in reply to Slitit]

hi. I’m a 67 year old woman with exactly same problem. Started 3 years ago. Can I ask if you were able to get yours sorted? I would love to have mine just slit. Don’t care what it would look after. Just healed!

[Yy928]

I’m almost 5 weeks after op. I didn’t really feel like the stitches were dissolving, so over the last week I’ve been trying to cut them after every shower and now I’m free from the stitches. If you don’t like the image of looking at stitches just cut them out after a few weeks as they are done doing their job after 2 weeks

[CuriousQ]

I have. Check my thread.

[Yy928]

In my opinion, the way that the incision will be closed is just a sub. The most important thing is the cut itself, how it will be closed (glue, stitches) most likely determines the recovery after the circumcision. Many doctors still use stitches which is fine, just keep in mind thAt they have to be manually removed if they don’t dissolve within2~3 weeks. If you prefer to have glue, you should go for that. In the end they both serve the same goal, which is closing the incision

[Yy928]

Yes, that’s kind of what I mean. However, you should just consult with your doc and see what options (Types of cuts) are possible.

[luvdoctor12b]

Hi I'm not understanding what you mean by stitch tunnel but I had my circumcision done bout 12 days ago with dissolveable stitches & they actually dissolved in bout 8 days with no problems nor pain from them I hope this help.

[Hidden]

I had a botched circumcision as a baby. Nearly bled to death. Was taken to the ER and restitched. During my teen years I noticed a little "tunnel" that had undissolved suture in it. I was able to squeeze a little out from time to time and thought I'd gotten it all, but last year I noticed that that area had a hard feeling to it, like something calcified. Now when I get an erection it bulges out and friction makes it very sore, which really puts a damper on things. I'm going to see my urologist next week for an unrelated problem and I'll ask him about it. But it would be interesting to hear if anyone else has anything like this going on.

[Stitchtunnelman]

Ur not alone mate. I’ve got a stitch tunnel too. Apparently it’s a thing that can happen with ur circumcision

[Cutat23]

Not a myth. I had a revision at 23(almost 33 now) and I have very prominent train track scarring especially on the top side of my penis...

[Ajemen]

This might be a little late but I just discovered a suture tunnel going under my circumcision scar. It's been 18 months since my circumcision and I found two holes on either side of my scar. I wanted to find out if there was a tunnel that connected between the holes so I took an earring and put it through one hole and it actually came out on the other side with no pain and also pushed out a piece of suture that was never dissolved. I now have an earring in my penis and I don't know what I should do about it.

[Jasper71 in reply to Ajemen]

I’m sure some people pay good money for that sort of piercing! 🤣🤣