Have you recently had an operation, that is, surgery? Maybe it was a C-section, appendicitis surgery, or something else. Now that you're home, you're a little worried about that surgical wound. You probably have a lot of questions in your mind, like how exactly to take care of it, can you take a shower, and what to do if the wound gets infected. Don't worry, we'll talk about all of this very simply today, in a way that you can understand.
First, let's see what an incision is during surgery.
Simply put, an incision, or surgical wound, is a cut in the skin that a doctor makes during surgery to access your body. The size, location, and number of incisions will vary depending on the type of surgery you had. After the surgery, the doctor will close the incision. So, after it is closed, we need to take special care of it until it heals completely.
What methods are used to close the wound?
Doctors use several main methods to close your wound. Let's take a look at what they are.
| Method | A simple explanation |
|---|---|
| Sutures | This is the method we all know as 'stitching'. Using a special type of thread and a needle, the incision in your skin is sewn together, just like sewing two pieces of cloth. There are two types of stitches: dissolvable stitches, which are the type that are absorbed into the skin as the wound heals. Non-absorbable stitches, which are the type that need to be removed by a doctor after the wound has healed. |
| Staples | These are not staples you would use in the office. These are specialized surgical staples. They are typically used to quickly close long incisions on the head, arms, and legs. They are attached to the skin with a special device. Once the wound has healed, a doctor removes them with a special device. |
| Adhesives | This includes special types of plasters and surgical glues. These have a sticky nature that sticks the two sides of the incision together. They are often used for small cuts, especially those of young children. They are not painful. The Steri-Strips® that we all know are also such adhesive tapes. |
Things you need to know when caring for a wound
When you go home after surgery, your doctor or nurse will probably give you instructions on how to care for your wound. It is very important to follow those instructions exactly. In addition, keep these points in mind.
- Hand washing is essential: Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water before and after touching your wound. This will go a long way in preventing germs from spreading to the wound.
- Check the wound daily: Check the wound and the surrounding area at least once a day for signs of infection (we'll talk about those signs below).
- Watch for bleeding: A little bit of moisture is usually okay. However, if the wound starts to bleed, apply pressure with a clean cloth or gauze. However, if the bleeding does not stop, call your doctor immediately .
- Avoid tight clothing: Avoid wearing tight clothing that rubs against the skin over the wound. This can irritate the wound further and cause the stitches to pull.
- Don't overexert yourself: Don't do any running, jumping, lifting, bending, or housework until your doctor tells you to. These can cause the stitches to break and the wound to reopen.
- Don't scratch the wound: It's normal to scratch a wound a little while it's healing. That's normal. But never scratch it with your nails . Doing so can introduce germs into the wound and cause it to fester. If the itching doesn't improve in a few days and gets worse, tell your doctor.
How do you bathe with a wound?
This is a problem that many people have. The way you should bathe will vary depending on the type of wound that is being closed. The advice given by your doctor is the most important. But here are some general things to follow.
| The method of closing the wound | Things to be careful about when bathing |
|---|---|
| Stitches and Staples | Unless your doctor tells you not to, you can usually shower 24 hours after surgery. But soaking in a tub is not a good idea. Wash the wound with a mild, unscented soap and water. Then pat it dry with a clean towel. Do not rub the wound too hard. |
| Steri-Strips | You can shower while wearing these strips. As mentioned above, wash with mild soap and water and pat dry with a clean towel. Never try to pull these strips off. They will come off on their own. |
| Tissue adhesive/glue | If you have used this, it is very important to keep the wound dry for the first 5 days. Cover the area with a waterproof dressing when bathing. After 5 days, you can bathe normally. But avoid soaking in water. If you do get wet, pat it dry. |
How to recognize if a wound is infected? (Signs of Infection)
When caring for a wound, the thing we should be most concerned about is infection, that is, suppuration. If a wound is suppurating, it will show one or more of these symptoms. Be very careful about these.
| Warning sign | What does that mean? |
|---|---|
| Thick fluid (pus) draining from the wound | If a thick white, yellow, or greenish fluid is coming out of the wound, it is a major sign of infection. |
| A bad smell | If there is a bad, unusual odor coming from around the wound, it is a sign of bacterial growth inside. |
| Redness and swelling around the wound | If the redness is not only on both sides of the cut, but also spreads further and there is swelling around the wound, it could be an infection. |
| Warmth around the wound | If the area around the wound feels significantly warmer to the touch than other areas of the skin, that is also a sign of infection. |
| Opening the seam | If the wound seems to be moving apart, getting deeper, or getting bigger instead of healing together, see a doctor immediately. |
| Fever and malaise | If you have a fever (over 101 Fahrenheit), feel cold and shivery, it means the infection has started to spread throughout the body. |
If you experience any of these symptoms, don't waste time and call your doctor immediately or go to the ETU (Emergency Treatment Unit) of the hospital where you were treated. Infections don't go away on their own , they need to be treated.
Who is at higher risk of wound infection?
Some people are at a slightly higher risk of surgical wound infections than others. Let's take a look at who they are.
- For those with diabetes .
- For those who smoke .
- For those who are severely obese .
- For those with nutritional deficiencies .
- For those with weakened immune systems (for example, those undergoing treatment for cancer).
- For those who have undergone emergency surgery or who have had surgery for a very long time.
More small questions and answers about the wound
When are stitches or staples removed?
This varies depending on the size, depth, and location of the wound. The doctor will usually remove them within 3 to 14 days.
How long does it take for dissolvable stitches to dissolve?
These usually start to dissolve within a week or two. Some types can last for months. If they are bothersome to you, you can have them removed by your doctor before they dissolve. Do not try to remove them yourself at home.
When do Steri-Strips come off?
These will fall off on their own within about two weeks. If there are any remaining ones after two weeks, you can remove them yourself. If they are coming off at the corners, it is better to cut them off with scissors rather than pulling them off completely.
With all of this, if you have any doubts or questions about your injury, don't keep them to yourself and never be afraid to ask your doctor . That's the safest thing to do.
Take-Home Message
- Always wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water before and after touching your surgical wound. This is the best way to prevent infection.
- Keep the wound clean and dry as your doctor tells you. Follow the instructions for bathing exactly.
- Always be aware of signs of wound infection (pus, bad odor, spreading redness, fever). If you notice any of these, seek medical advice immediately.
- Do not pull, remove, or scrape stitches, staples, or adhesive tape yourself. Let them come out on their own or let your doctor remove them.
- The specific instructions your doctor gives you regarding your surgery are the most important to you, so always follow those instructions.
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