Is it possible to smear the suture with iodine after surgery? Healing postoperative sutures at home. Plaster for dressings after surgery

A special role in healing is played by wound dressings, which must be performed in compliance with certain rules for each type of injury. Without proper care, wounds not only take a long time to heal, but can also cause serious complications, especially when it comes to purulent damage to the skin and soft tissues. Suppuration is a kind of complication that occurs due to infection of the wound surface with pathogenic microorganisms. In this case, toxins entering the blood can cause intoxication, meningitis and sepsis.

In addition to bandaging the injuries, certain antiseptic agents are also used to apply a new bandage to provide protection against infection and speed up healing. If dressing is done after surgical procedures, the procedure is usually performed by a nurse in a special sterile room. If you need to change the bandage yourself, you must strictly follow the recommendations of your doctor.

Processing rules

The edges of damaged areas of skin due to removal of the probe are fixed with stitching, surgical glue or a stapler, forming tension. After surgery, in most cases, stitches are required to allow healing and prevent infection.

Within 24–48 hours, a process begins that blocks harmful organisms from entering the wound during treatment.

1. Keep the surgical site clean and dry to avoid infection.
2. Renew the patch as directed by your doctor or every other day.
3. Replace the bandage depending on the condition of the wound, do not do it too often.
4. Treat with an antiseptic or 0.9% NaCl solution as prescribed by your doctor.
5. If the bandage becomes wet from blood, secretions, or for any other reason, it needs to be replaced.
6. Wash your hands or use gloves before changing.

Treatment of postoperative sutures

In most cases, the patient spends the first 7-10 days after surgery in the hospital, where his wound is regularly bandaged under the supervision of the attending physician. And if any problems are discovered, measures are taken immediately. The patient is discharged with the stitches removed and only the wound in normal condition. But literally the next day after discharge, the suture may begin to get wet and then fester.

The goals of treating a weeping suture after surgery are as follows: it is necessary to relieve inflammation by destroying pathogenic microflora, and also to dry the wound to avoid recurrence of suppuration. What to do, what measures to take, and what means to use?

Attention! If the suture gets wet and suppurates, you should go to the hospital! Self-medication is an extreme measure that you can resort to if you are unable to see a doctor.

Local remedies

External preparations will help cope with wetting and inflammation of the seam. In the case of a weeping wound, you need to use gels. They, unlike ointments and creams, do not leave a greasy film and allow the skin to breathe, which is very important for drying the wound. Solcoseryl is one of the most effective gels for postoperative wounds.

If the postoperative suture continues to get wet, you can also use powders. They also have a drying property because they absorb moisture while promoting healing. For example, Baneocin powder. It has a pronounced antimicrobial effect and is able to effectively heal weeping wounds.

The gel or powder should be applied to a clean wound, so it must be treated first. First, remove dead skin and dirt using hydrogen peroxide. Then blot the seam with a sterile napkin, drying it in this way, and only then apply the gel.

By the way! Wet wounds heal better in the open air. Therefore, the patient can apply bandages only at night or when leaving home.

There are cases when the suture bleeds for a long time after surgery. This also cannot be left like this, because bleeding indicates damaged blood vessels through which infection can enter the body. In this case, in addition to antibacterial and anti-inflammatory agents, you also need to use antiseptics. For example, brilliant green or Betadine (iodine solution).

Medicines

When the seam simply gets wet, it cannot be treated with pills. Another thing is the development of inflammation. Antibiotics may be needed here. What kind of drug it will be, as well as its dosage and duration of administration will be determined by the doctor. Usually these are broad-spectrum antibacterial drugs.

If the suture does not heal after surgery

It is necessary to resort to surgery in case of accumulation of exudate inside the wound. The formation of an abscess is indicated not only by the wetting of the suture and the unpleasant odor from it, but also by an increase in the patient’s temperature.

The operation to evacuate purulent contents is performed under local anesthesia (injection). This is a shallow opening of the abscess, probing it and installing drainage. If the excision was extensive, additional sutures are applied. In some cases, a sterile bandage is sufficient. After such an intervention, the patient remains in the hospital for a couple of days. He is prescribed rest, antibiotics and physiotherapy.

Algorithm for postoperative wound treatment

Treatment of any wound after surgery is an important aspect of healing that should not be neglected. The speed of the patient’s recovery depends on the care. Treatment is carried out systematically with means recommended by doctors or their equivalents.

Solutions and wound healing agents

Inspect the injury, treat and change the bandage. The choice of drugs depends on various factors: the presence of pus, the nature and location of the injury. For home treatment, antiseptics and the frequency of their use are prescribed by a doctor. After surgery, they are used in the form of an ointment, gel, solution in a bottle or ampoules. The following groups of drugs are prescribed:

• iodine-containing substances (betadine). Iodine cauterizes the edges of the incision and is used topically for disinfection no more than once a day;
• ointments with silver nitrate. At a five percent concentration it has a cauterizing effect, which is suitable for wound suppuration;
• 40% alcohols in the form of a spray for inflammatory processes;
• brilliant green 1–2% for skin and mucous membranes (after surgery to remove hemorrhoids). Used at least twice a day;
• acids. Four percent boric acid is the most effective solution for treating wounds with an antiseptic effect. Available in the form of powders and ointments;
• detergents. The most common remedy is a 2% chlorhexidine solution. Used after sutures are removed;
• oxidizing agents. These include potassium permanganate and hydrogen peroxide. Potassium permanganate can be diluted at home; you need to add 10 crystals of potassium salt to 1 liter of water and stir thoroughly. The solution is used to wipe the affected areas after the operation: abdomen, back, joint;
• antibiotics. Treatment ointments are used for suppuration of damage. This is a drug called “Levomekol” and Vishnevsky’s liniment. Trust the choice of gel with an antibiotic substance to specialists.

Dressing

After surgery, when treating any wound, you must follow the dressing technique prescribed by the doctor. It is done for injuries, ulcers and other violations of the integrity of the skin (removal of appendicitis, cyst, umbilical hernia, atheroma, polypectomy, resection of the thyroid gland).

Dressing after surgery is performed in the following order:

1. Removing the old bandage. At the time of treatment, the strip of tissue is smoothly separated from the wound. If it does not come off, soak it with hydrogen peroxide.
2. When removed, bleeding may occur, which must be stopped by applying a piece of gauze.
3. Disinfection of the lesion and adjacent areas of the skin. Disinfect the incision with a bandage soaked in antiseptic.

Dressing a postoperative wound prevents microorganisms from the external environment from entering the body, infection, and the formation of a fistula.

There are ready-made dressings for treating damage at different stages of scarring, containing medications.

Algorithm for wound dressing after surgery:

• prepare materials;
• all items must be sterile;
• carefully remove the old bandage;
• Apply a clean gauze bandage and bandage and secure.

Seam drainage

Drainage is installed in a postoperative wound in order to speed up healing by removing blood clots, lymph, and pus from it.

The procedure is shown

at a high risk of wound suppuration, as a preventive measure, or for treatment, if the forming scar is hard and red and festers.

Typically, wound drainage is indicated for no more than 3-4 days. This term is enough for the wound to cleanse and heal by secondary intention.

There are drainages:

Useful video

After surgery, scars and sutures appear on the skin, which persist for a long time. The duration of their healing is determined by the general resistance of the body, the characteristics of the skin and other factors. The main task in the postoperative period is to prevent the development of infection and speed up the regeneration process in all possible ways.

After abdominal surgery and suturing, the healing process includes several stages

1. Formation of collagen or connective tissue by fibroblasts. During the healing process, fibroblasts are activated by macrophages. Fibroblasts migrate to the site of damage, and subsequently they bind to fibrillar structures through fibronectin. At the same time, the process of active synthesis of extracellular matrix substances begins, among which collagen is present. The main task of collagen is to eliminate tissue defects and ensure the strength of the emerging scar.
2. Epithelization of the wound. This process begins as epithelial cells migrate from the edges of the wound to its surface. After epithelization is complete, a kind of barrier to microorganisms is formed, and fresh wounds are characterized by low resistance to infections. A few days after the operation, in the absence of any complications, the wound regains its resistance to infection. If this does not happen, then perhaps the cause was a suture dehiscence after surgery.
3. Reduction of wound surfaces and wound closure. This result can be achieved due to the effect of wound contraction, which is to a certain extent caused by the contraction of myofibroblasts.

The healing period after surgery is largely determined by the characteristics of the human body. In some situations, this process occurs quite quickly, while in other patients it can take quite a long time.

What promotes wound healing after surgery

Some diseases can affect the speed of skin restoration: diabetes, oncology, immunodeficiency. Rapid wound healing after surgery depends on the location and depth of the incision. For care, you need to maintain sterility during processing, have a sufficient number of dressings and medications.

For tissue regeneration you can use:

• vitamin preparations (folic acid, B12, B6, B1, C, A, U);
• anabolic agents (riboxin, phenobolin, sodium nucleinate);
• biostimulants (aloe, honsurid);
• immunomodulators after surgery (thymalin, tactivin, pyrogenal);
• stimulants of animal and plant origin (sea buckthorn and fir oil, actovegin).

Treatment products from traditional medicine are easy to make and help speed up wound healing after surgery.

Crushed Sophora japonica fruits are heated and mixed with animal fat. The mixture can be used when cooled to room temperature.

During processing, corn or rosehip oil is mixed with beeswax and infused for a week.

Nutrition plays a significant role in wound repair, especially during gall bladder surgery or tracheostomy.

The body requires more nutrients and vitamins for tissue regeneration when treating the skin. For recovery, you need to follow a diet or a special diet.

Products for wound healing after surgery:

1. Almonds - filled with vitamin E, which promotes tissue repair during processing.
2. Beans are a food containing iron. Helps in the formation of red blood cells.
3. Chicken breast - has proteins necessary for the structure and development of muscle tissue.
4. Oranges, lemons. Vitamin C, which helps in restoring the skin of the wound after surgery.
5. Bell pepper - contains substances of groups A, C, E, useful for processing, used in the construction of new fabrics.
6. Water removes toxins from the body and participates in the body’s metabolic processes.
7. Seafood - has phosphorus and zinc, which help with wound healing.

Care after suture removal:

1. The tripe must be treated with brilliant green for seven days.
2. If there is frequent discharge of blood or other fluids, you should contact specialized institutions.
3. The wound should be left open after the operation; under such conditions, healing occurs faster.
4. When treating damage, do not use cotton swabs so as not to leave particles on the incision. It's better to use a piece of bandage.

General rules for overlay

In a hospital setting, bandaging is usually carried out by a medical professional under the supervision of the attending doctor; if the injury is very serious, the doctor can do the bandaging himself.

How often dressings are changed depends on how extensive the lesion is, how the healing process is progressing, and the type of dressing:

• postoperative clean wound surfaces must be bandaged once a week to remove sutures;
• in case of a superficial injury healing under a scab, you should not frequently change the bandage on the wound so as not to tear off the crust;
• purulent lesions need to be treated and bandages changed every couple of days, provided that they do not get wet;
• during the healing of dry ulcers, the procedure is performed once over three days;
• if there is suppuration and the bandage is heavily saturated with secretions, it must be replaced every day.

Wound care after specific operations

There are specific operations, the care for which is different and carried out carefully.

Circumcision	The procedure is done for children, in adulthood due to phimosis and other diseases. Treatments are carried out within two days after leaving the hospital. The frequency of gauze renewal is from 3 to 6 times a day. As it heals, it is reduced to one. It is necessary to use special underwear with a frame. Fibrin may form during dressings; it is washed off with hydrogen peroxide. Maintain bed rest.
Trephine biopsy	The bandage is removed one day after surgery. The skin near the wound must be kept clean and treated promptly.
Tracheostomy removal	Pay special attention to preventing infection. Use sterile wipes. A bandage for the skin around the tube is impregnated with furatsilin or a solution of potassium permanganate. If mucus forms after surgery, it must be removed with a sterile catheter. To thin the secretions, 4% sodium bicarbonate is administered before cleansing. To avoid stomatitis and wound formation, the oral cavity should be rinsed with hydrogen peroxide.
Cryodestruction of basalioma	Treatment after surgery is carried out with antiseptic agents as prescribed by the doctor. Next, a sterile bandage is applied. The resulting bubble cannot be pierced with a syringe. Wear the bandage until complete healing. During the recovery process, do not visit the sauna, solarium or bathhouse.

Taking medications in the form of tablets is prescribed by a doctor.

How to properly care for seams

At first (1-5 days), a nurse or doctor takes care of the sutures: changes the bandage and treats the suture. Then, if there are no complications, the surgeon can remove the dressing material after treating it with hydrogen peroxide.

At home, seams need to be treated daily. No special skills are required for this. Remember that applying a bandage increases the healing time of the stitches because the wound gets wet under the bandage. Before removing it, you should consult your doctor.

There are a huge number of different remedies and medications that speed up wound recovery. Iodine and potassium permanganate are the main ones among them. They have proven their effectiveness for many years.

Contractubex ointment has good healing properties. It reduces wound healing time and prevents scarring. The ointment is rubbed into the skin until completely dry.

In addition to products for external use, there are also internal ones that need to be taken during the postoperative period: vitamins, anti-inflammatory drugs, enzymes.

What to do if the wound does not heal

Inflammation of the wound after treatment occurs for several reasons: infection, boil formation, low immunity. In overweight patients, inflammation occurs due to improper drainage.

To prevent complications, consult your doctor. Before your visit, clean the incision, remove any exudate, and avoid lifting heavy objects. Only a specialist can establish an accurate diagnosis, prescribe treatment and correct treatment of the wound for inflammation after surgery.

The article has been verified by the editors

How to properly bandage

The patient becomes afraid when the time comes to do the first dressing. Anxiety is caused by fear of pain, so all manipulations should be carried out slowly and with great care.

The most painful place is in the groin and axillary folds, since there is hair in those places and it dries to the applied bandage. To make the procedure less painful, you need to moisten the adhesive edges of the sticker with alcohol or gasoline.

After removing the sticker, the damaged area is treated. You need to remove the lowest layer of the bandage in length. With one tweezers, you need to lift the edge of the bandage, and with the other, at this time, hold the gauze ball and hold the skin with it, pulling it in the opposite direction.

In addition, you need to carefully ensure that the tubes inserted during the operation (if any) do not pop out with the dressing material.

Next, you need to examine the wound; the color of the skin around it should not differ much from the color of the general skin, and the injection sites, in the absence of complications, remain completely dry without any discharge.

How to treat sutures after a caesarean section

After a cesarean section, it is very important to properly handle the sutures. After such surgical intervention, the wounds are often treated with a 5% solution of potassium permanganate for 2-3 days. The dressing should be changed constantly. This will help you notice suppuration in time. The threads are usually removed on the 6th day before discharge. When taking a shower, you should never put too much pressure on the seam area and use hard sponges for washing. This can cause keloid scars.

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

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