para>This is a series of images showing how to care for your wound. They include washing your hands, having the doctor take out your stitches or staples, not removing the small pieces of tape over the wound, taking care of your dressing, and watching for signs of infection like pus or redness around the wound.View Original
This is a series of images showing how to care for your wound. They include washing your hands, having the doctor take out your stitches or staples, not removing the small pieces of tape over the wound, taking care of your dressing, and watching for signs of infection like pus or redness around the wound.
View Original
What care is needed at home?
- Ask your doctor what you need to do when you go home. Make sure you ask questions so that you understand everything the doctor says. This way you will know what you need to do.
- You will learn some deep breathing exercises to prevent infection.
- Talk to your doctor about 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 you need to be careful with lifting things over 10 pounds
- When you may go back to your normal activities like work, driving, or sex
- Be sure to wash your hands before and after touching your wound or dressing.
- Keep your legs above the level of your heart when in bed. Your doctor may also tell you to wear compression stockings. This is to help with your bodys blood flow and decrease the chance of blood clots.
- Your bowel movements may be delayed for a day or two. You may need to begin stool softeners after surgery to prevent constipation.
What follow-up care is needed?
- Your doctor may ask you to make visits to the office to check on your progress. Be sure to keep these visits.
- 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 lifestyle changes are needed?
- You will be more likely to get infections if your spleen is taken out. You need to be aware of the early signs of an infection.
- Use good hand washing to help prevent the spread of germs. Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 15 seconds, especially after coughing or sneezing. Alcohol-based hand sanitizers also work to kill germs.
- You may need to take a small dose of antibiotics each day to prevent infections.
- You may be asked to keep antibiotics with you at all times.
What drugs may be needed?
The doctor may order drugs to: ‚
- Help with pain
- Fight an infection
Will physical activity be limited?
You may slowly increase your activity over time. Talk to your doctor about the right amount of activity for you. ‚
What problems could happen?
- Bleeding
- Infection
- Poor wound healing
- Bulge in the belly, called a hernia.
- Irritated pancreas or pancreatitis
When do I need to call the doctor?
- Signs of infection. These include fever of 100.4 ‚ °F (38 ‚ °C) or higher, chills.
- Signs of wound infection. These include swelling, redness, or warmth around the wound; too much pain when touched; yellowish, greenish, or bloody discharge; foul smell coming from the cut site; or cut site opens up.
- Bleeding problems
- Trouble breathing
- Not able to have bowel movement after a few days
- Very bad pain or swelling in the belly
- Pain gets worse all of a sudden
- Not able to eat or drink
- Throwing up
Helpful tips
You will need to be extra careful to avoid infections. Use care when driving and wear your seat belt. Talk with your doctor about: ‚
- Getting a pneumonia shot every 5 years
- Getting a flu shot each year
- Travel plans to any place where you could get malaria
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 how to care for my cut site.
- I can tell you what I will do if I have fever, chills, bleeding, or breathing problems.
Where can I learn more?
Platelet Disorder Support Association ‚
http://www.pdsa.org/treatments/conventional/splenectomy.html ‚
Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons ‚
http://www.sages.org/publication/id/PI12/ ‚
Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons ‚
http://www.sages.org/publications/patient-information/patient-information-for-laparoscopic-spleen-removal-splenectomy-from-sages/ ‚
Last Reviewed Date
2015-04-08 ‚
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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 provider 's advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you. ‚
Copyright
Copyright ‚ © 2016 Wolters Kluwer Clinical Drug Information, Inc. and its affiliates and/or licensors. All rights reserved. ‚