Surgical wound management:
The skin protects the body against infection.
The incision (cut) in the skin made for a surgical intervention (operation) is an unnatural event, which breaks the defensive barriers of the body and has the risk of becoming infected.
The health team takes precautions to prevent infections, from scrupulous hand washing and the use of sterile procedures and instruments (without microorganisms) to perform wound dressings and, when required, the appropriate administration of antibiotics. In good general health, all wounds should heal.
What is a surgical wound?
It is an opening or interruption of the continuity of the skin, produced by an incision, made by a surgeon, for diagnostic or treatment purposes.
The wounds of cardiovascular surgery performed on children with congenital heart disease are of the closed type by means of sutures (sewing with sterile thread of various materials, especially for surgery).
What should a normal wound look like?
The wound almost always bulges slightly and there is noticeable redness (mild swelling) during the first two weeks after surgery, without this being a problem.
After approximately the first week from the date of surgery, the edges should feel united, free of secretions and not feel heat, excessive pain, hardness or pus on it or generalized fever.
What should you do to care for your surgical wound?
1- Follow all basic wound care instructions given to you by your doctor and nurse upon discharge.
2- Perform wound healing as follows:
- Wash your hands very well and clean the table where you are going to put the materials (sterile gauze, - liquid soap, gloves, dressing, Micropore) with alcohol.
A- Remove the Micropore tape or the dressing that covers the wound gently, in the direction of the wound, if it is very stuck moisten with water and with the other hand hold the skin.
B- Observe if there is separation of the edges, if there is pus, if there is excessive inflammation, if the skin is red, there is a fever, or any other sign that alarms you, you should go to the emergency room.
C- The cleaning of the wound must be done with water and liquid soap, with gentle movements and without rubbing in the direction of the wound.
D- Remove excess soap with clean water, you can also use bottled water, saline or sterile water.
E- Once the wound is clean, dry it gently with sterile gauzes and cover it with its dressing or gauze or leave it in the air, according to medical indications.
F- Lastly, wash your hands again and store the materials in a clean and cool place.
3- Prevent other people from handling the child's wound.
4- Surgical wounds do not require the application of medication, unless they are infected.
5- It is important to keep in mind that the use of plants, panela-type sugars, hydrogen peroxide, iodized solutions or chlorine, delay and complicate the healing process in wounds.
6- It is important that the child stays well fed, to promote healing.
