The Problem with Getting Stitches at the ER (And What to Do Instead)

Featuring Frank Ciminello, M.D., FACS

Every parent’s worst nightmare: your child’s screaming, blood is spilling from a deep cut, and your heart races with fear. You scramble for a towel, trying desperately to stop the bleeding, and without thinking twice you rush to the emergency room hoping that everything will be okay.

But here’s the truth many parents don’t realize until it’s too late: the ER isn’t always the best place for your child to get stitches, especially for facial or visible cuts. Between the long wait times, rushed care, and potential scarring, the ER can create more stress than solutions.

“Many parents don’t realize that the emergency room isn’t always the best place for their child’s stitches,” explains Frank Ciminello, M.D., FACS, a board-certified plastic surgeon at The Plastic Surgery Center’s Got-A-Cut Program. “There are often better, faster, and less stressful options that also prioritize minimizing scarring and providing expert care.”

Long Wait Times… Even for Bleeding Cuts

Emergency rooms are built to handle life-threatening emergencies first.

“Unless your child’s injury is critical, like broken bones, head trauma, or uncontrollable bleeding, you may end up waiting hours to be seen,” shares Dr. Ciminello.

Meanwhile, your child is in pain, possibly scared, and bleeding. This delay can increase infection risk and reduce the effectiveness of certain wound closure techniques.

“Time-sensitive care matters,” Dr. Ciminello adds, “especially for cuts on the face.”

Rushed, Non-Specialized Care

Most ERs are staffed by general emergency physicians or physician assistants. They’re skilled in stabilizing patients and handling trauma, but they may not be focused on aesthetic or long-term cosmetic outcomes, especially when treating lacerations.

“If your child has a cut on the face, lip, or near the eye, the way it's closed matters,” advises Dr. Ciminello. According to him, improper technique can lead to noticeable scarring, uneven healing, or even the need for revision surgery down the road.

High Costs and Surprise Bills

Even with insurance, an ER visit for stitches can lead to a shockingly high bill. Facility fees, physician charges, and after-hours rates all add up, especially for something that could have been treated elsewhere.

Stressful, Overwhelming Environment

Let’s be honest: the ER is not always child-friendly. It’s noisy, busy, and often filled with other patients experiencing serious trauma or crises. This environment can intensify your child’s fear, making the experience more traumatic for them and for you.

“Children need calm, focused care, especially when getting stitches,” explains Dr. Ciminello. “And as a parent, so do you.”

What’s the Alternative?

Got-A-Cut, a specialized program within The Plastic Surgery Center, offers parents a better alternative for treating childhood injuries.

The program provides expert-level laceration repair by plastic surgeons in a calm, private setting, avoiding the long waits and hectic environment of the emergency room, and eliminating surprise bills. Patients are typically seen within an hour, and cuts are treated using techniques that prioritize safety, comfort, and scar minimization.

What Got-A-Cut Treats:

• Facial cuts (forehead, lips, cheeks, and chin)
• Playground, sports, and pet-related injuries
• Arm, leg, and hand lacerations
• Cuts needing cosmetic closure, but not emergency care

“We specialize in treating the kinds of injuries kids get every day, but with an expert’s touch,” says Dr. Ciminello.

Why Got-A-Cut Matters

Plastic surgeons aren’t just for cosmetic procedures. As explained by Dr. Ciminello, plastic surgeons are trained in meticulous skin closure and wound healing, making them the best choice for treating cuts that could leave a scar.

When you bring your child to Got-A-Cut, you’re choosing:

• Faster treatment than the ER
• Reduced risk of visible scarring
• A calm, family-centered experience
• Transparent pricing with no hospital fees
• Top-tier medical care without the chaos

Got-A-Cut is covered by most major insurances and encompasses a network of expert plastic surgeons throughout New Jersey, with main offices in Maywood, Paramus, Red Bank, and Egg Harbor. Call 888-283-2130 or visit this website to learn more about the program.