A Chronic, Nonhealing Wound of the Finger Caused by Polypropylene Suture Material

Chronic wounds usually result from poor peripheral circulation, neuropathy, pressure, radiation, or infection. Such common types of chronic wounds are easily diagnosed and managed with traditional wound care techniques. In contrast, chronic nonhealing wounds caused by cancerous skin lesions, mycobacterial infections, and foreign-body reactions that are refractory to traditional wound therapy present a particular diagnostic challenge, resulting in erroneous or delayed diagnosis. Therefore, an unusual presentation of a chronic wound should be taken into account when establishing differential diagnosis. In an effort to enhance recognition of chronic wounds caused by foreign-body reactions and facilitate their proper management, the authors report a case of a chronic nonhealing wound on the dorsum of a finger that was associated with the use of polypropylene suture and lasted for 3 years.