Caring for your surgical wound (2024)

FAQs

Caring for your surgical wound? ›

The original dressing should be left in place for at least two days (48 hours) (or as advised by the nurse / doctor), provided that the wound is not oozing. The wound must be kept dry. If the dressing becomes wet from blood or any other liquid it must be changed.

The original dressing should be left in place for at least two days (48 hours) (or as advised by the nurse / doctor), provided that the wound is not oozing. The wound must be kept dry. If the dressing becomes wet from blood or any other liquid it must be changed.

Wounds need to be covered so that they can heal properly. When a wound is left uncovered, the new surface cells that are being created can easily dry out. When these important cells dry out, it tends to slow down the healing process. A wound should be covered using a clean bandage.

You can clean the skin around the cut with a soft cloth or gauze pad. First, soak the cloth or gauze in soapy water or in a mixture of sterile water and salt. Then, gently wipe or dab the skin around the wound. Don't use skin cleansers, antibacterial soaps, alcohol, iodine, or peroxide.

Because the initial 48 hours are the most critical for successful wound healing, postoperative radiation is often administered 3 to 4 weeks after surgery.

Antibiotic ointment – such as Polysporin or Bacitracin. PLEASE DO NOT USE NEOSPORIN this contains neomycin which may cause an allergic reaction even if they have used it before without any problems. Non-stick pads – such as telfa, paper tape or any non irritating band aide that will fit over the incision site.

Don't apply a topical antibiotic. Studies show that petroleum jelly is just as effective as an antibiotic ointment for non-infected wounds. Don't douse a minor wound with antiseptics like iodine or hydrogen peroxide. They're actually harmful to the skin and can delay healing.

Change wound dressings often – how long you keep a wound covered depends on the injury, but five days is a good start. “There's a misconception that wounds need to be left open to air out, but it's best to keep wounds covered,” Alyssa said.

What speeds up healing after surgery? ›

Protein – Protein is essential to wound healing, so try to get plenty of foods like chicken and eggs. Vitamin C – Some research shows that Vitamin C and zinc can help with healing, so eat the recommended amount of fruit each day.

Wounds heal faster if they are kept warm. Try to be quick when changing dressings. Exposing a wound to the open air can drop its temperature and may slow healing for a few hours. Don't use antiseptic creams, washes or sprays on a chronic wound.

Here is some general advice: Keep your stitches or staples dry and covered with a bandage. Non-absorbable stitches and staples need to be kept dry for 1 to 2 days. Absorbable stitches sometimes need to be kept dry longer.

Change wound dressings often – how long you keep a wound covered depends on the injury, but five days is a good start. “There's a misconception that wounds need to be left open to air out, but it's best to keep wounds covered,” Alyssa said.

You can leave the original dressing in place for up to five days (or as advised by your surgeon) providing that it's dry and not soaked with blood, and there are no signs of infection. If your wound is healing it can be left without a dressing.

Once you stop the bleeding and clean the wound, you should apply a clean bandage. Here's why: Air dries out the wound and promotes cell death, not healing. Covering the wound maintains the natural moisture that helps keep cells alive.

Once your skin is exposed to air, it usually dries out, and the issue is resolved. But underneath a wound dressing, there's much less air circulation, and the constant exposure to moisture can create a problem with skin maceration that doesn't go away as easily.