Mehiläinen Töölö · Helsinki
Wound assessment and suturing
A fresh wound needs timely assessment. I examine and clean the wound, then assess whether stitches, skin glue or another treatment is suitable.
Care route
Where should I seek care?
The wound depth and any injury to deeper structures determine where it can be treated safely.
Book an appointment
- A fresh wound: seek assessment promptly on the same day.
- A small wound on the hand or face can be assessed in a clinic; depth and examination findings determine further care.
Seek urgent assessment
- A deep, bite-related or crush wound, a possible retained foreign body or suspected open fracture.
- Numbness, reduced movement, suspected tendon or nerve damage, or bleeding despite pressure.
Call 116117 if you are unsure where to go or cannot get timely care. Do not wait for an appointment if your condition worsens.
Call 112
For major bleeding that does not stop with firm pressure, unconsciousness or another life-threatening situation.
During the visit
What is assessed during the visit?
- whether the wound can be managed in clinic or needs emergency care
- whether suturing, cleaning, local anaesthesia or another procedure is needed
- infection risk and antibiotics only when justified
- tetanus protection, dressings, timing of suture removal and warning signs
Booking details
What is useful to mention about a wound?
- when the wound happened and how it occurred
- where it is, whether it is still bleeding and whether the edges are apart
- whether it was a bite, dirty injury, glass, metal or another possible foreign body
- whether you use blood-thinning medication and when your tetanus protection was last updated, if you know
After the visit
Your treatment and follow-up
Care of a sutured wound — read and print
Contact Mehiläinen Töölö if your care instructions are unclear.
Sources
What this page is based on
Website content: Markus Huotari, general practitioner. The sources below provide background information.