Postoperative suture care at home. The healing process of postoperative sutures

During any surgical operation, even the most harmless, regardless of the method of the operation, traumatic damage to nearby tissues occurs. Therefore, attention should be directed, first of all, to preventing the development of infection and accelerating regeneration processes. And in general, wound healing depends on the overall resistance of the body and on the skin itself.

Bleeding from the operating wound;

Infiltration (compaction) at the site of the postoperative suture;

Redness and friability of tissues near the seam;

The occurrence of a hematoma at the site of the suture;

The divergence of the seam with the loss of a section of the internal organ into the wound;

Repeated (later than 5 days) onset of bloody discharge from the wound;

The rise in body temperature with a deterioration in general well-being, weakness, chills.

In all these cases it is necessary urgent appeal to the hospital where the operation was performed. In cases with heavy bleeding or prolapse of internal organs into the wound, an ambulance should be called, which in the supine position will take the patient to the department where he was previously operated on.

With such complications, the patient will be given antibiotics, drugs that improve blood clotting. When the wound suppurates or its sutures melt, as well as in the presence of an infiltrate, the sutures are removed, drainage is placed in the wound (often it is just a piece of a sterile glove or a small tube), the wound is washed twice a day with hydrogen peroxide, chlorhexidine, furacilin. When air bubbles or contents appear in the wound with bad smell, the wound is also washed with potassium permanganate. When the seam fester - urgent measures are required.

Re-hospitalization may be necessary, especially in the case of organ prolapse into the wound.

Tubal ligation in women

This is a surgical procedure, otherwise known as medical sterilization. During such an operation, the pipes are blocked, they are cut or bandaged. The operation is considered one of the most effective, guaranteeing 99% of the absence of pregnancy. Only in a few, it can occur when there is a passage for sperm to enter, as well as with an incorrectly performed operation.

dressing patch after surgery

After you have had surgery and stitches, a postoperative bandage is applied to this place in order to avoid infection and contamination of the wound. If the incision is small, then the edges of the wound are combined with a certain plaster.

Dressings at home: indications and principles of care

emergency doctor Saturday A.A.

There are different types of wounds, which are subdivided depending on the method of their formation, the presence or absence of microbial complications, the depth of the wound into the skin.

Types of dressings and rules for their application

A bandage is a special dressing used to close a wound.

The process of applying a bandage to a wound is called dressing.

There is a fairly large number of different bandages. These dressings are classified according to three main points: by the type of dressing material, by the method of fixing the dressing, and by purpose.

How to remove stitches

Surgical sutures are the most common way to connect biological tissues (wound edges, organ walls, etc.), stop bleeding, bile leakage, etc. using suture material. Skin sutures are removed most often on the 6-9th day after their application, however, the timing of removal may vary depending on the location and nature of the wound.

Postoperative sutures are still very for a long time can remind a person of a surgical intervention in his body. The seam may not heal for a long time, hurt, whine or pull, and in some cases even diverge.

Healing of sutures after surgery. What is the best way to handle

There are two main points on which the speed of healing of sutures after surgery really depends. First of all, this, of course, is the body of the person himself, which immediately begins to fight and heal itself. Secondly, the sterility of the seam. Here everything depends on how the surgeon works, namely, the suture must be of high quality, that is, without the formation of a cavity. This is a very important factor influencing the speed of healing.

Potassium permanganate and iodine have always been considered the best means for healing sutures after an operation. Easy availability and excellent antimicrobial properties allow them to occupy a leading position among medicines.

For better healing of sutures after surgery, a cream based on calendula is usually prescribed, since it is an excellent wound healing agent. If desired, the medicinal composition can be prepared at home. In a small bowl, mix a drop of rosemary and orange oils, then mix them with the calendula cream.

Oil tea tree will help to make the cosmetic seam softer and less noticeable. A positive effect can be seen within a week, but only if treatment is started immediately after the operation.

Contractubex or silicone plaster will serve as excellent means that will solve the problem of a hard seam, as they have a softening effect.

In the postoperative period, various complications may occur that require an early consultation with a doctor, and sometimes surgical intervention. This includes small deviations - redness, swelling, blood or bile discharge, or more serious up to the divergence of the seam.

How to process seams correctly?

Usually, ligation of the sutures is performed in the clinic, especially in the first time after the operation. However, in some cases, dressing is carried out independently at home. But only when the doctor considers that the patient can already do this procedure on his own. This will require the following tools for processing seams: tweezers, cotton swabs and sterile cotton wool.

The healing suture needs air access for faster tissue regeneration. Therefore, do not be afraid to remove the bandage once again, but do not rush to extremes. Remember, everything should be in moderation!

Treatment of sutures after surgery is a prerequisite that ensures rapid and proper wound healing. It should be noted that the healing of sutures after surgery depends on a large number of factors. For some, this process successfully passes in a few days, while others have to suffer for several months.

Complete healing is possible only if the postoperative wound is sterile. Sutures after surgical intervention are adjusted in such a way that there is a complete docking of the edges of the wound. This completely eliminates the formation of a cavity.

How can the wound area be treated after surgery?

Each person should know how exactly the sutures should be treated after the operation, so that the healing process takes place in the shortest possible time. For these purposes, various antiseptics can be used. These agents include iodine, potassium permanganate, alcohol. With iodine, one must be very careful, since in large quantities this remedy can dry out the skin.

If you wish, you can also use ordinary brilliant green, which must be treated for wounds every day, for 6 days. It is very convenient to do this with ordinary cotton swabs. The problem is that under this medication it is often not visible how the wound heals and whether any complications have appeared. Zelenka can be replaced with fucorcin. With this tool, not only the seam should be processed, but also the area around it. However, experts warn that after the wound has healed, it will not be easy to wash the fucorcin.

If you have hydrogen peroxide on hand, then the problem can be considered half solved. A small piece of gauze bandage should be soaked in hydrogen peroxide and applied to the affected skin. There may be a slight burning sensation. Do not worry, as such a reaction is considered normal.

40% medical alcohol can be used if the seam is inflamed in some places. In this case, it is not worth treating areas of the skin where there is no inflammation, as this can lead to their drying out, which will significantly slow down the process of tissue regeneration. If after this the inflammatory process does not go away, and in the area of ​​\u200b\u200bthe seam it constantly aches and pulls, then you should definitely seek help from a specialist.

Also very popular is Contractubex ointment and a silicone patch that prevents the formation of keloid scars.

In the first days after surgery, it is recommended to apply a bandage with hypertonic solution to the affected areas of the body.

Preparing such a solution is quite simple: 2 tablespoons of table salt should be poured with 1 cup of boiling water. The finished product must be cooled to room temperature, moisten a gauze napkin in it, attach it to the seam and bandage it.

Often, in the second week after the operation, the patient begins to complain of an unpleasant itch in the suture area. This phenomenon is considered quite normal, since, during this period, an active healing process is underway. You can eliminate these unpleasant symptoms with the help of cotton pad, richly moistened in a solution of novocaine.

Often, after the operation, for one reason or another, the seams diverge, which causes severe pain and the appearance of unpleasant discharge. In this case, you should not wait for a long time, you should immediately seek help from a specialist. This will help to avoid adverse consequences. In such situations, doctors, as a rule, resort to the help of Vishnevsky's ointment. This tool helps to remove pus from the wound and promotes its speedy healing.

How to process seams?

It is important to know not only how to process the seams, but also how to do it correctly. Treatment of wounds should be carried out 2 times a day, without missing a single procedure. In some cases, on the recommendation of doctors, it is possible to treat wounds more often.

The dressing must be changed until the stitches are removed. Dressings must be done in hospital rooms that are specially designed for this purpose. Such daily procedures will help speed up the healing of the skin. The thing is that the air contributes to the fastest drying of the seams. If dressings are performed at home, then you need to be as careful as possible. The bandage should be removed very carefully, as the bandage often sticks to the wound. Only after this, the affected area can be poured with a thin stream of hydrogen peroxide, and then with an antiseptic.

An important rule is that before the treatment of postoperative injuries, the hands must be perfectly clean. Therefore, before starting the procedure, hands should be thoroughly washed with soap, preferably up to the elbow.

During the treatment of postoperative wounds, in no case should the scabs be removed and the whitish plaque removed, as this indicates the structure of the new layer of the epithelium. If this layer is damaged, depressions may appear, which will lead to the formation of scars.

In most cases, stitches are removed 7-10 days after surgery. This procedure is quite painless, so it takes place without any anesthesia. Immediately before starting this procedure, the wounds are treated by special means. Once the sutures are removed, bandages are no longer needed. You can take water procedures only after 2-3 days.

How to handle stitches after a caesarean section

After a caesarean section, it is very important to properly handle the stitches. After such a surgical intervention, the wounds are often treated with a 5% solution of potassium permanganate for 2-3 days. The bandage should be changed constantly. This will help to notice suppuration in time. Threads are usually removed on the 6th day before discharge. When taking a shower, in no case should you press hard on the seam area and use hard sponges for washing. This can lead to keloid scars.

After the birth of a baby, very often, a young mother is given internal and external stitches. Internal are those that were imposed when the walls of the vagina or cervix were ruptured. There is no need to take care of them. Care should be taken of the external seams that are applied to the perineum. In the first time after the operation, midwives take care of everything. They, twice a day, moisten the affected areas with a solution of potassium permanganate or brilliant green. After discharge, such activities should be carried out independently after each bath.

If scars still appear after the birth of a child, then they can be easily removed using the scar resurfacing procedure. Laser resurfacing is a very effective procedure that is carried out today in many beauty salons.

Folk recipes

As practice shows, the seams after the operation heal much faster if they are treated with folk remedies. Currently, there are a lot of such recipes, so everyone can find something suitable for themselves:

  1. Healing cream.

2-3 tablespoons of cream with calendula extract should be mixed with 1 drop of rosemary oil and the same amount of orange oil. The resulting consistency lubricates the affected areas of the skin.

  1. Tea tree oil.

Data healing remedy it is necessary to treat the wounds immediately after the operation. In the future, this procedure should be repeated for 7 days.

  1. Ointment from the fruits of Japanese Sophora and goose fat.

With the help of such a folk remedy, wound healing will occur much faster. To prepare such a remedy, you will need to mix 2 cups of dried Japanese Sophora fruits with 2 cups of goose fat. If desired, goose fat can be replaced with badger. The resulting mixture should be heated in a water bath for 2 hours. Further, this consistency should be heated 1 time over the next 3 days. On day 4, the composition should be brought to a boil and removed from heat. The finished ointment must be thoroughly mixed and poured into a glass dish. A small amount of funds should be put on a bandage and attach it to the seams.

  1. Livestock tincture.

Great product for seams. 2 spoons of larkspur roots passed through a meat grinder should be poured with 250 ml of water and the same amount of alcohol. The resulting remedy should be treated with the affected areas of the body.

  1. Healing mixture of 100 gr beeswax and 400 gr sunflower oil. The resulting consistency is mixed and boiled over low heat for at least 10 minutes. After the agent has cooled, it must be applied to the bandage, which is applied to the sore spot.

Before using any folk remedies to heal the stitches, it is necessary to consult a doctor to avoid any serious complications.

Surgical sutures must be processed daily, but not earlier than one day after surgery. In a medical institution, this procedure is carried out by a qualified medical worker. But it is not always possible to come to the clinic for dressings. You need to know how the seam is treated after the operation. After all, at home, the processing of seams and dressings has to be done independently. The procedure should be carried out at approximately the same time. If the location of the suture does not allow you to process it yourself, it is recommended that you seek help from an adult living nearby or nearby.

Materials for the treatment of sutures after surgery

Sutures can be located on various parts of the body, including mucous membranes. How the suture is treated after surgery in a particular case, it is recommended to consult with your doctor. For care, you will need sterile bandages and cotton wool. You can also use or ear sticks. If not at hand, then you can iron a regular non-sterile bandage with an iron on both sides. A sterile bandage is necessary for applying a protective bandage. The bandage only protects the seam from infection and contamination. It is not always rational to use it, since the bandaged seam heals much more slowly. It is recommended to check with the nurse in advance whether the wound needs to be protected with a bandage or not. To disinfect the seam, you will need hydrogen peroxide and can be replaced with fucorcin, but remember that with prolonged use of fucorcin, its traces are difficult to remove from the skin. At the same time, it dries faster than brilliant green. For a weeping seam, this is a weighty argument.

Treatment of sutures after surgery

Seams must be treated at least twice a day. What is processed is already known. For this, a sterile bandage is removed from the wound. If it sticks to the seam, you need to moisten the bandage well with hydrogen peroxide and wait a bit. Then, with a sharp movement of the hand, remove it. Using a cotton swab, disk or cotton swab, gently rinse the seam with hydrogen peroxide. Blot excess solution with a swab. Then apply brilliant green or fukortsin. If necessary, apply a new sterile dressing. Do not apply cotton swabs to the treated seam under the bandage. They dry up to the wound and, during subsequent processing, undermine the resulting crust, thereby preventing healing.

Healing stitches after surgery

Healing of sutures usually lasts approximately 10-15 days, depending on the specifics of the suture and proper care behind him. Processing must be carried out until complete healing. Periodically, you need to show the suture to the attending physician to control the healing process. If it is inflamed, the doctor will tell you how the suture is treated after the operation in a particular case. You can not process purulent sutures on your own. It should be remembered that the treatment of sutures on the mucous membranes and face has its own specifics. Such processing should be carried out only by a medical professional in a clinic or hospital. You can take a shower or bath gently without using a washcloth only 7-12 days after suturing or as recommended by your doctor. It is undesirable to use bathing gels and scrubs while bathing, it is better to use baby soap. The seams should not be wiped with a towel, it is recommended to blot with a swab. After hygiene procedures, the processing of seams is carried out in the usual manner.

Proper antiseptic treatment of postoperative sutures is milestone rehabilitation of a woman who underwent a procedure caesarean section. Key aspects of this hygienic event are discussed within the walls of the maternity hospital.

Those recommendations that will be received by a young mother must be implemented in a clear manner and in compliance with all standards. The use of auxiliary techniques that can reduce the manifestation of surgical intervention is permissible only after the formation of a strong scar.

What are the scars

In modern medical practice, obstetrician-gynecologists use the most sparing methods of surgical incisions, which avoid the formation of rough keloid scars. To achieve the maximum aesthetic effect after surgery, the Pfannenstiel technique is used, the essence of which is to make an incision above the pubic hair growth zone.

In the postoperative period, such scars are not conspicuous and do not affect the self-esteem of a young mother. In addition, scarring of such sutures occurs in a short period of time. Despite this, the speed and quality of the formation of postoperative sutures directly depends on the observance of measures to care for the wound surface.

If there are appropriate indications, women in labor undergo a vertical dissection of the anterior abdominal wall, as a result of which a rough vertical keloid scar is formed. The main indication for performing this kind of intervention is an urgent situation when the life of the mother or fetus is in danger. During the rehabilitation period after performing a vertical incision, women feel daily pain and discomfort. The duration of such a recovery period can be more than 1 month.

Suture options

When performing a caesarean section, the various options suture material. The speed and quality of formation of connective (scar) tissue depends on their structure and origin. For this purpose, catgut and silk threads are often used.

If the sutures were applied using silk, then this allows you to bring the edges of the wound as close as possible to each other and prevent the divergence of the postoperative suture. During this period, while the suture material dissolves on its own, the young mother is under the supervision of a medical specialist.

Care after surgery

Hygiene measures in the period after caesarean section are two-stage. The first stage of processing is carried out within the walls of the maternity hospital. After performing a surgical intervention, the woman is under the daily supervision of a medical specialist to monitor the condition of the stitches.

If the restrictive regime is not observed in the postoperative period and if the suturing is incorrect, the young mother may experience the following complications:

  • The entry of pathogens into the wound surface and suppuration of the wound;
  • Divergence of seams;
  • Bleeding from a wound;
  • Formation inflammatory process, which involves different layers of soft tissues.

You can recognize bleeding from the suture by the presence of liquid contents on a special bandage. This complication can be provoked by damage inside the cavity, as well as the lack of proper contact between the edges of the wound. In order to exclude intracavitary bleeding, an ultrasound examination is performed on a young mother.

The lack of proper antiseptic treatment entails the penetration of pathogenic microorganisms of a bacterial nature. On the background this process suppuration and an inflammatory reaction develop. If measures to eliminate the infection are not followed in time, the purulent-inflammatory process will cause partial tissue necrosis.

An equally common problem is the divergence of postoperative sutures. This condition occurs when a young mother does not comply with the restrictive regime. The ban includes carrying a child in her arms, lifting weights, sudden movements and squats.

When a young mother is in the maternity hospital, paid nurses are responsible for the antiseptic treatment of the postoperative suture. Both edges of the wound surface are lubricated with a broad-spectrum antiseptic solution. Most maternity hospitals use water solution Chlorhexidine, which has a pronounced antimicrobial and bactericidal effect.

After that, a solution of brilliant green is applied to a clean wound surface, which avoids wetting of the wound. The final stage of treatment is the application of a sterile bandage or a special plaster.

In addition to caring for a postoperative wound, attention should be paid to the antiseptic treatment of the external genital organs. This procedure is carried out by washing the area with antiseptic liquids (, Chlorhexidine). You should not use ordinary soap to cleanse the external genitalia, as it affects the pH of the vagina, opening up access to pathogenic microorganisms.

Self Care

The basic rules for hygienic treatment of the postoperative suture at home do not cause difficulties for young mothers. Care of the wound surface in a home environment includes the following activities:

  • Compliance with the regime of limited physical activity;
  • Wound treatment with antiseptics;
  • Care of the external genital organs;
  • Cleansing the skin around the wound with water;
  • Control over the quality and speed of formation of a keloid scar.

Important! It is necessary to start cleaning the wound surface after the main washing of the body. While taking a shower, it is strictly forbidden to use a washcloth or brush to wash the body in the area of ​​​​the postoperative suture. Any physical impact on this area will lead to a divergence of the edges of the wound and bleeding.

Until the wound is completely healed, it is strictly forbidden for a young mother to perform any work that is associated with bending over, squats and lifting weights.

After taking a shower, a woman needs to dry the seam area with a soft cotton cloth with gentle blotting movements. The previously mentioned brilliant green is used as an antiseptic solution. In order to avoid traces of brilliant green on clothes, after processing, the seam is covered with a piece of sterile bandage and fixed with a plaster.

Alternative means include a weak solution of potassium permanganate (manganese), Chlorhexidine, a solution of furacilin and 3% hydrogen peroxide. For processing, cotton swabs or pieces of a sterile bandage soaked in an antiseptic solution are used. This hygienic measure is performed daily until the final overgrowth of the wound.

Important! For antiseptic treatment of the wound surface, it is strictly forbidden to use such products as a soap solution diluted in water. baking soda and salt, pharmacy iodine, vodka, 96% alcohol. The listed chemical components have an aggressive effect on soft tissues, thereby leading to irritation and chemical burns.

In order to protect the wound surface as much as possible from injury and the ingress of pathogens, it is important for every young mother who has undergone a caesarean section to wear a postpartum bandage. This medical device speeds up and facilitates postpartum recovery and gives a sense of security. In order for the postpartum bandage to help achieve desired result, it is worn around the clock, periodically removing it for 10-15 minutes in order to get air on the skin.

In order to prevent the divergence of internal and external seams, a young mother should not lift weights of more than 3 kg. Despite following all the recommendations described, the rehabilitation period does not always go smoothly.

Reasons for seeking medical advice are the following symptoms:

  • Soreness and discomfort in the area of ​​the postoperative suture;
  • The appearance of purulent or bloody discharge from the wound;
  • Noticeable divergence of the suture material;
  • Redness and swelling of the skin around the scar;
  • An increase in body temperature to 37.5-38 degrees.

Women who have experienced infection of the suture are shown a surgical revision of the wound area, additional antiseptic treatment, re-apposition of suture material and excision of the wound edges involved in the necrosis process. In order to avoid such severe consequences, women after cesarean section are advised not to neglect the key recommendations for the care of the postoperative suture.

The patient is not always given recommendations on how to process the postoperative suture for better healing. Modern means presented in a wide variety, the main thing is not to make a mistake with the choice. Products of the same purpose may not be suitable for a variety of situations. The patient should know in which case to apply this or that method of therapy.

Why is it important to properly process the suture after surgery?

The attending physician should provide information about further manipulations, but unfortunately, this does not always happen in modern clinics and hospitals. The patient returns home after long-term therapy and does not know how to properly process the postoperative suture for better healing. The correctness of tactics is important for quick and quick healing. Surgeons focus on home suture processing, they become common cause complications.

If redness, swelling develops at the site of the postoperative suture, blood, pus, bile, etc. are released, you should immediately seek help from a doctor, this indicates a complication. It is necessary to carefully monitor the condition of the wound after surgery.

Conduct correct handling Wounds are important for the following reasons:

  • to avoid serious complications that may lead to a second operation;
  • to maintain the sterility of the wound, to prevent suppuration, infection;
  • for a speedy recovery;
  • to prevent pain;
  • to avoid the inflammatory process.

If a person correctly manipulates the seam, recovery occurs on average after 2 weeks. It all depends on the type of operation, severity, type of suture.

How does rapid healing happen?

Wound healing occurs differently in each patient, depending on the type of suture, the severity of the surgical intervention. Never leave a wound unattended. Processing is needed in order for a quick recovery to occur, the seam is tightened without complications.

Get rid of quickly unpleasant consequences after surgery on the skin, ointments and other medications with antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, regenerating effects help. They are necessary in order to:

  • rapid tissue regeneration occurred (recovery, wound closure);
  • there was no inflammatory process due to antibacterial and antiseptic properties;
  • improve the quality of newly formed tissue;
  • reduce internal toxicity.

Healing occurs in several stages, they are clearly visible during processing manipulations. Firstly, the wound is decontaminated, which promotes healing, bacteria cannot prevent the wound from healing. Secondly, the ointments and creams used help speed up regeneration, that is, help the skin recover and improve the quality of the new tissue that is formed.

In the complex, all actions lead to the fact that the seam heals soon.

Treatment - how to speed up the healing of postoperative sutures with ointments and other means

At the initial stage, each operated patient should learn the steps of the suture treatment in order to understand when it is necessary to perform the bypassed actions (apply ointment, clean the wound, etc.).

Seam processing at home is performed as follows:

  • the bandage is carefully removed from the seam, applied in medical institution(if the bandage is dry, it should be slightly soaked with hydrogen peroxide);
  • analyze the condition of the postoperative wound to exclude the appearance of pus, bile, swelling, etc. (with these symptoms, you should contact a medical institution);
  • if there is a small amount of blood, it should be stopped before starting manipulations with a bandage;
  • first, you should not feel sorry for the liquid, it should moisten the wound abundantly;
  • it is necessary to wait until the agent stops contacting the seam (stops hissing), then wipe it off gently with a sterile bandage;
  • after, with the help of a cotton swab, the wound along the edges is treated with green paint;
  • ointments should be applied only after the suture begins to heal a little, approximately 3-5 days after discharge.

You can accelerate the healing of postoperative sutures with the help of special ointments. They are aimed at accelerated tissue regeneration, providing an anti-inflammatory effect. The following ointments are popular:


  1. Iodine is an inexpensive and easy-to-use remedy, you can call it an analogue of greenery. But it is not recommended to use it often, every day, it is worth carrying out a replacement course with ointments, since the liquid can dry out the skin pretty much, which will cause slow regeneration.
  2. Dimexide is a solution widely used in postoperative practice. With the help of the drug, you can not only treat the wound, but also make lotions, compresses.
  3. Miramistin is suitable as an antiseptic. It can be used instead of hydrogen peroxide. It is believed that due to the antimicrobial properties of the drug is more effective in therapy. Apply throughout the treatment to cleanse the wound.

Possible complications - what to do if the seam is inflamed?


complication of postoperative suture in the photo

To begin with, the patient should understand what inflammation is, how it manifests itself and is recognized, in what situation it is necessary to carry out home therapy, when to seek medical help. The following symptoms may indicate the presence of an inflammatory process of the postoperative suture:

  • there is redness and swelling in the wound area;
  • pain syndrome becomes stronger every day;
  • during palpation, a seal is palpated, it, as a rule, does not have sharp boundaries;
  • on the 4-6th day there is a temperature, chills, symptoms of intoxication;
  • the emergence of a specific substrate from the wound, suppuration.

The following factors could be the cause of such complications:

  • penetration into the wound infection;
  • improper care or lack thereof for the postoperative suture;
  • improperly installed or inadequate drainage installed after surgery;
  • surgical error after surgery.

When the first signs of inflammation appear, it is worth carrying out hygienic treatment of the wound every day with the help of hydrogen peroxide, iodine, brilliant green. Repeated manipulations may be required depending on the condition of the lesion. When there is no pus, there is redness, swelling, you can use a one-time treatment. In other cases, 2 to 4 times a day. After treatment, it is recommended to apply a sterile bandage with ointment, which can be used in the inflammatory process.

There are typical instructions assuming the norms and rules of the patient's behavior, described for the speedy recovery of a postoperative wound. They should be observed by every patient at home. They consist of the following points, described in the table below.

Type of loadRules for the care of the postoperative suture
General recommendationseat right, follow the diet prescribed by the doctor;
To wash the wound, use only water, baby soap;
observe the hygiene of the wounded area, wash and clean every day;
Do not use ointments, creams, gels, rubbing without consulting a specialist.
ShowerIt is worth taking a shower only when the wound begins to heal, becomes dry and gradually heals. The duration of the procedure should not exceed 10 minutes. Bath or shower water should not be too hot or cold.
Physical exerciseIn the first 2-3 months, you should follow the recommendations:
Do not stand in one place for more than 15 minutes, you can only do homework of a light nature;
increase the load gradually;
Take daily walks fresh air;
Try not to load the area where the seam is located;
It is worth including daytime sleep in therapy if there are minor loads;
Perform exercises only with your own weight, refuse to lift weights;
Only walking is considered acceptable.
SexDoctors recommend waiting for a full recovery, then start sexual activity. You should not experiment and take risks when intimacy brings shortness of breath, excessive sweating, fatigue. This indicates the need for a temporary renunciation of sex.
After recovery, it is worth gradually picking up the pace and rhythm in sexual relations.
Trip abroadTrips abroad can be carried out after agreement with the attending doctor.
DietAfter the operation it is recommended:
Exclude junk food (smoked, overly salty, fried, canned);
plant foods should predominate in the diet;
Take extra vitamins
include bran in the menu;
meat and fish - low-fat varieties.
EmotionsAll negative emotions are contraindicated. They will adversely affect the state of the nervous system, which will lead to a long recovery.

All recommendations are for general use. It must be borne in mind that any wound has its own characteristics, which should be discussed with the attending physician. Proper therapy will help you quickly get rid of unpleasant physical and moral symptoms.

Undoubtedly, all people sooner or later face various diseases. Some of them necessarily require surgical intervention. Such treatment never goes unnoticed. From manipulation, a person always has a postoperative suture. You need to know how to properly care for such a scar, and in what cases to seek help from a specialist.

Types of seams

Depending on the scale of the operation, the size of the suture can vary significantly. From some interventions, for example, after laparoscopy, a person has small centimeter incisions. Sometimes such seams do not require the use of special threads and are simply glued together with a plaster. In this case, you need to ask your doctor how to properly care for the damaged area and when you can remove the patch.

Also, the postoperative suture can be of impressive size. In this case, the fabrics are sewn in layers. First, the doctor combines the muscles, tissues of the blood vessels, and only after that he makes an external seam, with the help of which the skin is combined. Such scars grow together longer and require careful care and special attention.

What you need to know about seams

The postoperative suture always needs processing. From the moment the doctor puts the threads on the skin, the medical staff will wash your stitched tissues daily. In some cases, processing must be carried out several times a day. The doctor will inform you about this after the procedure. If complications occur or microbes enter the wound, it may be necessary to use additional antiseptic and antibacterial agents for treatment.

The suture is removed after the operation in about a week. With slow tissue healing, this period can increase to two weeks or even up to one month. During this time, it is necessary to properly process postoperative sutures. Wound healing is determined by the attending physician. It is he who sets the period when the threads can be removed.

In some cases, removal is not required. Sometimes doctors use special absorbable threads. They are superimposed in most cases on soft tissues and mucous membranes. Often this method of tissue bonding is used in gynecology and plastic surgery. Despite the fact that such threads are not removed, it is also necessary to process these postoperative sutures. Wound healing occurs when the tail of the protruding stapling fabric simply falls off.

How to care for stitches?

In some cases, the postoperative suture must be removed much later than the patient is discharged from medical institution. In such a situation, a person needs to be told and shown how to care for stitched fabrics. After removing the threads, the processing of postoperative sutures should be carried out for some more time. So how do you take care of a wound yourself?

Necessary materials

To get started, you need to purchase everything the right materials. You can do this at any pharmacy chain located near your home. If you find it difficult to walk, ask relatives or neighbors to buy everything you need.

Treatment of a postoperative suture requires the presence of conventional brilliant green, hydrogen peroxide 3%, alcohol solution and hypertonic fluid. You will also need tweezers postoperative patches suitable sizes and cotton swabs.

In some cases, the processing of postoperative sutures is carried out with cotton wool. At self care for damaged fabric, it is better to refuse to use this material. When wiping the skin, small pieces of cotton can cling to the superimposed threads and remain on the wound. As a result, inflammation may occur. That is why it is worth giving preference to sterile bandages or special dressings.

Preparation of the treated area

Before you need to open it. Wash your hands with soap and disinfect them Carefully remove the bandage and examine the skin. There should be no liquid on the scar. If ichor or pus oozes from the wound, then it is necessary to consult a doctor as soon as possible. This means that there is an inflammatory process in the wound.

Treatment of the surface of the scarIn the event that the surface of the tissues is completely dry, you can proceed to self processing seam. To do this, take a comfortable position and prepare all the necessary materials.

First, roll up a small piece of sterile bandage and soak it in an alcohol solution. Gently wipe the scar with a damp cloth. Make sure that all wounds and holes on the body are moistened with liquid. After that, let the skin dry and proceed to the next step.

If you experience pain, pulsation and burning in the area of ​​the seam, you must do the following. Roll it up into four layers and soak it in hypertonic saline. Put the fabric on the seam and cover it with a band-aid. Such a compress will help relieve pain and swelling in the wound area. If you are not worried discomfort, then skip this step and proceed further according to the instructions.

Take a cotton swab and soak it in greenery. Gently treat all wounds that were obtained during suturing, as well as the scar itself. After that, apply a sterile dressing to the cleaned area and seal with a plaster.

If the doctor has allowed, then you can leave the seam open. In the air everything is faster. Remember that in this case, you must be careful not to damage the scar.

How to care for the seam after removing the threads?

If you have already removed the stitches, this does not mean that the scar does not need to be looked after. Remember that after water procedures it is necessary to treat the injured surface. Ask your surgeon how long the scar treatment should take. On average, doctors recommend taking care of the damaged surface for about one more week.

After taking a shower, pour hydrogen peroxide on the seam in a thin stream. Wait for the reaction to take place and the liquid to sizzle. After that, blot the seam with a sterile bandage and proceed to the next step.

Moisten a cotton swab in brilliant green and treat the seam and existing postoperative wounds. Repeat this procedure after every bath.

Conclusion

Carefully monitor the condition that your postoperative sutures have. You can see photos of properly healing scars in this article. When you leave, ask your doctor detailed recommendations. Let the doctor tell and show you how to properly care for damaged tissues. Remember that from the moment you are discharged, your health is solely in your hands. That is why ask the medical staff about everything that interests you. This will help to avoid various unpleasant consequences.

If you have any complications or questions, please contact your local doctor. Call in emergency situations ambulance. Remember that still unfused tissue can disperse. That is why be careful, avoid unnecessary stress and rest more. Be healthy!