Childrens Heart Center at St. The stitches will be removed before your child goes home. Ten to fourteen days after surgery the steri-strips will begin to dry up and peel off. Allow the steri-strips to fall off on their own.
Some children have small incisions from the chest tubes.
It is normal to have a small amount of clear yellow or dark bloody drainage from this incision. A dry band-aid or light gauze may be used if there is drainage. Your child may bathe or shower the day after the stitches are removed. Do not apply lotion, oil, or cream to the incision until it is completely healed. The incision will fade best if your child avoids sun exposure for several months after surgery.