SCAR REVISION

INSTRUCTIONS FOLLOWING SURGERY

CARE OF WOUNDS WITH STITCHES

1. Keep the wound covered and dry for ....... hours, then shower as normal.

2. Remove the dressing on ...........................................................................

3. Use cotton buds dipped in hydrogen peroxide 3% to gently cleanse the incision line and sutures of as much scab as possible.

4. Apply a very thin layer of antibiotic ointment if instructed to do so.

5. Allow to air dry and cover the wound with clean bandaids/gauze/steri-strips.

6. Do this dressing daily or more often as necessary or as instructed.

7. Stitches (sutures) are to be removed on ............................................. at ......................

8. Things to look for:

(a) Bleeding: It is normal to expect some oozing at the incision site. Clean drops of blood or crust with hydrogen peroxide. It is also normal to expect some swelling, especially 24 - 48 hours after surgery. If you notice rapid swelling 20 - 40 minutes after a sudden movement or when bumped, and/or blood dripping from the incision, this may mean active bleeding underneath the incision (haematoma) and requires prompt attention. Although very rare with skin surgery, this generally occurs only in the first two days after surgery.

(b) Infection: Wound infections after skin surgery are also unusual. Good wound cleansing further includes redness and warm tender swelling of the incision site with occasional pus formation. This may indicate infection and a need for antibiotics.

9. Special Instructions:

10. It takes about three weeks for a wound to get the proper strength; therefore movement should be restricted to the minimum.

11. After the dressing is removed, you may still have some bruising in the area, which is normal. You cannot expose the area to the sun until the bruising is completely gone. The scar will look red for several months, this is also normal. Use a sun blocker over the scar-number 15 or higher.

12. Call the office to schedule a follow-up visit; you should call the office in case of severe pain which is normally unusual.

13. The final result of a scar revision can only be evaluated after 1 - 2 years. At times more surgery or different procedures may be indicated after that period. Therefore it is important you keep your follow-up visits.

To purchase prior to surgery for dressings:

• Cotton buds.

For Emergencies call 016 288 699

20 Manning Road, Double Bay N.S.W. Sydney, Australia Tel: Intl. + (61 2)93287044 Fax: Intl. + (61 2)93286036