Surgical wound care is important to prevent infection and complications postoperative other. Maintenance which includes changing bandages, keeping the surgical wound dry, and preventing acnehitan operation tearing due to certain activities.
In addition to preventing infection and other complications due to surgery, understanding how to properly care for surgical wounds is also necessary to maximize the results of the operation. This is because the outcome of the operation is not only determined by the success of the operation, but also by the postoperative wound care.
Surgical Wound Care What You Need to Know
The following is a share of surgical wound care that can be done:
1. Luka ocleandon't terkwater
One of the surgical wound care that needs to be done is to keep the surgical wound from being exposed to water. Surgical wounds should not be exposed to water in the first 24 hours after surgery. Therefore, you are advised not to take a shower on the first day. To clean the body, you can wipe it with a cloth or sponge.
In certain types of surgery, you may be allowed to shower on the second day. However, you will be advised to bathe with shower to make it easier to adjust the direction of the water away from the surgical wound area. This needs to be done because the wet surgical wound can open again.
You are also not allowed to swim or bathe until the stitches are removed. If the bandage is wet and the surgical wound is exposed to water, you will need to change the bandage and dry the wound with a dry towel. Ask your doctor if you need to wear a waterproof bandage.
2. Change Surgical wound dressing sPeriodically
Bandages are used to help protect surgical wounds from external injuries and to allow the wound to heal faster. However, bandages need to be changed regularly. The surgeon will tell you when and how to change the bandage.
The following are the steps to take when changing a bandage:
- First, don't wear jewelry on your fingers and hands while changing bandages and keep pets away if you have them.
- Wash your hands with running water and soap before and after changing the bandage, and use gloves to remove the bandage.
- You can moisten the bandage with clean water before removing it to provide a comfortable feeling when the bandage is pulled. However, check with your surgeon first.
- After the bandage is removed, you can clean the surgical wound and the skin around the wound with gauze soaked in saline infusion. Wipe slowly and gently.
- Do not use antibacterial soap or other antiseptic liquids, such as alcohol or povidone iodine. These fluids can actually delay healing or even damage the skin.
- Do not apply any herbal creams, solutions, or powders while performing surgical wound care, unless authorized by your doctor.
- Finally, dry the wound with a clean, dry gauze or soft cloth.
When changing the bandage, do not forget to pay attention to the surgical wound. Surgical wound infections usually occur within the first month after surgery. Some of the signs are the surgical wound is red and oozing pus, and the area around the wound becomes swollen, warm, and painful.
Immediately consult a surgeon if you experience these complaints. Please note, surgical wound infection can also be accompanied by fever.
3. JstitchesagarTno Robek
The treatment of surgical wounds on the abdomen needs special attention because these wounds are more prone to tearing than surgical wounds on other parts of the body. This is because the pressure in the stomach often increases, for example due to coughing, sneezing, or straining during bowel movements (BAB).
To prevent tearing of the surgical wound stitches in the abdomen, you can do the following ways:
- If you feel like sneezing, coughing, or throwing up, hold the pillow gently but firmly over the surgical wound. This action needs to be done in the first weeks after surgery.
- Increase the consumption of fiber in your diet and consult a doctor if you experience constipation after surgery. Your doctor can give you laxatives.
Meanwhile, in general, the actions that need to be taken to prevent tearing of stitches in any part of the body are:
- Do not scratch the surgical wound even if it feels itchy, because this procedure has the risk of causing the sutures to come off.
- Avoid sports that can put pressure on the wound suture area, such as playing soccer, badminton, or other strenuous sports.
4. When to Stitch Need to be removed?
The timing of suture removal is determined based on the location of the surgical wound. The following is the timing of suture removal based on the location of the surgical wound:
- Face: 3-5 days
- Scalp and arms: 7-10 days
- Chest, abdomen, hands and legs: 10-14 days
- Palms and feet: 14-21 days
Meanwhile, stitches in the joint area require a longer time to remove the stitches.
You need to know, not all stitches have to be removed. There are several types of surgical sutures that can be absorbed by the body after some time, so there is no need to remove the sutures.
By applying proper surgical wound care and following the doctor's recommendations, the results of the operation will be optimal and the possibility of complications after surgery will be smaller. Do not hesitate to contact the doctor, if you encounter any problems during surgical wound care.
Written by:
dr. Sonny Seputra, M.Ked.Klin, SpB, FINACS(Surgeon)
