 [ Symptoms ] can a tetanus shot be given a week after wound  83 yr  old has an infected wound on shin from metal object this happened two weeks ago on second series of antibiotic treatment no tetanus shot given over ten years since last one is the tetanus shot necessary [ Disease ] stitches inside the mouth will dissolve rather quickly but if this same material is used on the outside of the lip it can take weeks before they will eventually fall out with my patients i would take the outside sutures out assuming the tissue has not grown over them in about five days depends on the depth and extent of the laceration however with little uncooperative kids i may just leave them alone since some medical providers use an absorbable suture inside and a non absorbable suture outside i really can not be 100 sure what was done