Can stitches get wet?

This study was performed to answer the question of whether or not a patient can wet stitches after a minor soft-tissue surgical procedure without increasing the incidence of infection or disruption of the wound. One hundred consecutive patients underwent an excision of a skin or soft-tissue lesion closed either primarily or with a local flap. Monofilament nylon was used. There were 55 benign lesions and 45 malignant lesions. All procedures were performed using local anesthesia on an ambulatory basis. All patients were asked to wash the wounds with soap and water twice a day starting the morning after surgery. All wounds healed without any infections and without any disruption or dehiscence of the wounds.