About this topic
A surgical wound is a cut in the skin from a procedure. Doctors are either taking something out of the body or treating a disease inside the body. Any cut made on the skin gives germs easy access. This may result in infection. This infection can start at any time from 2 to 3 days to 2 to 3 weeks after the surgery. The infection may spread deeper in the body if it is not treated. You will start to feel unwell and serious health problems may happen. An infection may also cause the cut to open up again. ‚
General
These things can raise your risk of getting infection after surgery: ‚
- Poor nutritional status
- If you are a diabetic and you do not take your drugs regularly
- Smoking or use of tobacco products
- Being overweight
- If you have other infected wounds
- Weak immune system like in HIV, chemotherapy, and transplant patients
- Long-term use of steroids
- Long stay in the hospital
- Women using contraceptive pills
You can help to lower your chance of getting a surgical site infection. Here are some things you can do. ‚
Before Your Surgery ‚
- Tell your doctor if you already have other infections. Even something like a cold or sore throat may raise your risk of getting a surgical site infection.
- Wash your hair and take a bath or shower before your procedure.
- Talk to your doctor about all of the infections you have had in the past. Your doctor may order drugs for you before, during, and after your surgery.
- If you need to remove hair from the surgical site, clip the hair with scissors. Do not shave it.
- If your doctor gives you antibiotics before the procedure, take them as ordered. Do not miss any doses.
After Your Surgery ‚
- Wash your hands before you touch your wound or dressing. If you have to change the dressing, wash your hands before and after. Make sure any person who touches the dressing washes their hands first.
- Tell your doctor right away if you see signs of infection or if you feel ill.
- Talk to your doctor and learn how to care for your cut site. Ask your doctor about:
- When you should change your bandages
- When you may take a bath or shower
- If your doctor prescribes drugs for infection, you need to take the drug as directed until the drug is gone.
- When changing your dressing, do it in a clean room. Store your bandages in a clean bag and cabinet. Throw away the dirty dressing right away and wash your hands.
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What will the results be?
Taking good care of your surgical site will help avoid infection and your wound will heal faster. ‚
What lifestyle changes are needed?
- Keep good hygiene. Cleanliness is very important for proper wound healing.
- Stop or lessen smoking.
- Get lots of rest. Sleep when you are feeling tired. Avoid doing tiring activities.
- Eat a healthy diet. Ask your doctor what kind of diet you should be on.
What drugs may be needed?
The doctor may order drugs to: ‚
- Help with pain
- Prevent or fight an infection
Will physical activity be limited?
- Movement may be limited in most used body parts like the hands, elbows, and knees. Limiting the movement may help with faster wound healing.
- Do not go swimming, take tub baths, or do other activities that may soak your wound. Dirty water can get in the wound and may cause infection.
- Avoid stretching and pulling activities that could cause your scar to pull apart. Call your doctor if this happens.
- Your doctor may ask you to avoid lifting, straining, exercise, or sports for the first month after surgery. Talk with your doctor about the right amount of activity for you.
Will there be any other care needed?
- Some wounds need tubes to drain the fluids coming out of the wound. Talk with your doctor about how to care for your drain if you have one.
- Some stitches melt away in 1 to 3 weeks. You need to clean the cut line with care. Your doctor will give you orders on how to clean them.
- If you have stitches or staples, you will need to have them taken out. Your doctor will often want to do this in 1 to 2 weeks.
What problems could happen?
- Infection
- Scarring
- Wound opens up
When do I need to call the doctor?
- Signs of infection. These include a fever of 100.4 ‚ °F (38 ‚ °C) or higher, chills, wound that will not heal.
- Signs of wound infection. These include swelling, redness, warmth around the wound; too much pain when touched; yellowish, greenish, or bloody discharge; foul smell coming from the cut site; cut site opens up.
- You are not feeling better in 2 to 3 days or you are feeling worse
Helpful tips
- Wear loose clothing. Good blood supply is important for healing.
- Do not remove your bandages unless your doctor says so.
- If your wound all of a sudden bleeds, applying some pressure may help stop the bleeding. See your doctor right away.
Teach Back: Helping You Understand
The Teach Back Method helps you understand the information we are giving you. The idea is simple. After talking with the staff, tell them in your own words what you were just told. This helps to make sure the staff has covered each thing clearly. It also helps to explain things that may have been a bit confusing. Before going home, make sure you are able to do these: ‚
- I can tell you about my procedure.
- I can tell you what I can do to help prevent infection before and after my surgery.
- I can tell you what I will do if I have a fever, or swelling, redness, or warmth around my wound.
Where can I learn more?
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ‚
http://www.cdc.gov/Features/SafeSurgery/ ‚
http://www.cdc.gov/HAI/ssi/faq_ssi.html ‚
Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer
This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care providers advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you. ‚
Copyright
Copyright ‚ © 2015 Clinical Drug Information, LLC and Lexi-Comp, Inc. ‚