Post-operative dressings are performed on the patient by a professional to ensure optimal cleaning and recovery of the injured area. Here is how to take care of a wound after surgery:
Wash and disinfect hands to avoid the risk of wound contamination
Check the wound for redness, swelling or profuse discharge
Clean the wound with sterile gauze soaked in saline solution, taking care not to touch the portion of gauze that touches the wound
Disinfect the wound with sterile gauze pads soaked in wound disinfectant. Clean the wound from top to bottom, starting in the centre and continuing with further vertical passes outwards; use new gauze with each pass
Allow the disinfectant to dry for a few seconds
Apply the new dressing and be careful not to touch the wound with your hands.
Post-operative dressings must be chosen according to the type of wound that will be treated. Most of them are sterile, adhesive plasters that absorb any secretions and protect the injured part from bacteria and dirt. Thanks to their high adhesion, they do not present any risk of chafing. Some products are transparent and have a hydropolymer pad that facilitates post-operative wound control, thanks to a skin-friendly and ultra-thin film.