Tattoo Formation from Absorbable Synthetic Suture and Successful Removal with Q-switched Ruby Laser

Background: Traumatic tattoos result from accidental or unintentional deposition of exogenous pigment within injured skin. Pigments may consist of heavy metals, vegetable matter, or commercial dyes.

Objective: The clinical and histologic description of a traumatic tattoo resulting from a surgical procedure using undyed, braided, synthetic, absorbable suture material and its removal with the Q-switched ruby laser (694 nm, 28 nsec).

Methods: The pigmented linear lesion was biopsied and processed using standard histological methods. Subsequently, the area was treated on two occasions with the Q-switched ruby laser.

Results: The pigmented lesion was completely removed with the Q-switched laser treatments.

Conclusion: We report on the occurrence of a traumatic tattoo resulting from synthetic suture material and complete removal with the Q-switched ruby laser.