INCISIONS HOME CARE
Category: Plastic Surgery
Abstract : Home care of incisions Guidelines for home care of an incision vary somewhat
depending on the material that was used for closure, the location and size of
the incision, and the nature of the operation. The following section is a
general description of the major aspects of incision care. Patients
should ask their doctor for specific information about caring for their
incision:
Home care of incisions
Guidelines for home care of an incision vary somewhat
depending on the material that was used for closure, the location and size of
the incision, and the nature of the operation. The following section is a
general description of the major aspects of incision care.
Patients
should ask their doctor for specific information about caring for their
incision:
• the type of closure used
• whether another appointment will
be needed to remove any sutures or staples
• the length of time that the
incision should be kept covered, and the type of dressing that should be used
• whether the incision must be kept dry, and for how long
• any specific
signs or symptoms that should be reported to the doctor
Most hospitals
and surgery clinics provide patients with written handouts or checklists about
incision care; however, it is always helpful to go over the information in the
handout with the doctor or nurse, and to ask any further questions that may
arise.
BATHING AND SHOWERING
Incisions should be kept dry for several
days after surgery, with the exception of incisions closed with tissue glue.
Incisions closed with nonabsorbable sutures or staples must be kept dry until
the doctor removes the sutures or staples, usually about seven to 10 days after
surgery. Incisions closed with Steri-strips should be kept dry for about four to
five days. If the incision gets wet accidentally, it must be dried at once.
Patients with incisions on the face, hands, or arms may be able to take showers
or tub baths as long as they are able to hold the affected area outside the
water. Patients with incisions in other parts of the body can usually take
sponge baths.
It is usually safe to allow incisions closed with tissue
glue to get wet during showering or bathing. The patient should, however, dry
the area around the incision carefully after washing.
PHYSICAL ACTIVITY
AND EXERCISE
Patients should avoid any activity that is likely to pull on the
edges of the incision or put pressure on it. Walking and other light activities
are encouraged, as they help to restore normal energy levels and digestive
functions. Patients should not, however, participate in sports, engage in sexual
activity, or lift heavy objects until they have had a postoperative checkup.
MEDICATIONS
Patients are asked to avoid aspirin or over-the-counter
medications containing aspirin for a week to 10 days after surgery, because
aspirin interferes with blood clotting and makes it easier for bruises to form
in the skin near the incision. The doctor will usually prescribe codeine or
another non-aspirin medication for pain control. Patients with medications
prescribed for other conditions or disorders should ask the doctor before
starting to take them again.
SUN EXPOSURE
As an incision heals, the
new skin that is formed over the cut is very sensitive to sunlight and will burn
more easily than normal skin. Sunburn in turn will lead to worse scarring.
Patients should keep the incision area covered for three to nine months from
direct sun exposure in order to prevent burning and severe scarring.
SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS FOR FACIAL INCISIONS
Patients who have had
facial surgery are usually given very detailed instructions about incision care
because the skin of the face is relatively thin, and incisions in this area can
be easily stretched out of alignment. In addition, patients should not apply any
cosmetic creams or makeup after surgery without the surgeon’s approval because
of the risk of infection or allergic reaction.
GENERAL
HYGIENE
Infection is the most common complication of surgical procedures. It
can be serious; of the 300,000 patients whose incisions become infected each
year in the United States, about 10,000 will die. It is important, therefore, to
minimize the risk of an infection when caring for an incision at home.
Patients should observe the following precautions about general
cleanliness and personal habits:
• wash hands carefully after using the
toilet and after touching or handling trash or garbage; pets and pet equipment;
dirty laundry or soiled incision dressings; and anything else that is dirty or
has been used outdoor
• ask family members, close friends, and others who
touch the patient to wash their hands first
• avoid contact with family
members and others who are sick or recovering from a contagious illness
•
stop smoking (smoking slows down the healing process)
Risks
Some
patients are more likely to develop infections or to have their incision split
open, which is known as dehiscence.
Risk factors for infection or
dehiscence include:
• obesity
• diabetes
• malnutrition
• a
weakened immune system
• taking corticosteroid medications prescribed for
another disorder or condition
• a history of heavy smoking
Warning
signs
Patients who notice any of the following signs or symptoms should call
their doctor:
• fever of 100.5°F (38°C) or higher
• severe pain in the
area of the incision
• intense redness in the area of the incision
•
bruising
• bleeding or increased drainage of tissue fluid
Normal
results
As an incision heals, it is normal to experience some redness,
swelling, itching, minor skin irritation or oozing of tissue fluid, or small
lumps in the skin near the incision. At first, the skin over the incision will
feel thick and hard. After a period of two to six months, the swelling and
irritation will go down and the scar tissue will soften and begin to blend into
the surrounding tissue. See also Bandages and dressings; Hospital-acquired
infections; Postoperative care; Wound care.
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