When to clean up after appendicitis surgery

After the operation of appendicitis, a recovery period begins, in which it is very important to prevent the development of various complications due to infection and other factors.

At this time, the body needs maximum efforts for the speedy healing of wounds and recovery.

Many patients have a question of hygiene in the postoperative period, namely, when it is possible to wash after appendicitis.

The rehabilitation period requires special attention to the health of patients, therefore there are certain rules and recommendations on how to properly perform hygiene procedures.

Consequences of a wet postoperative wound

After the operation, the wound should not be wetted, since they are extremely susceptible to infections after appendectomy.

There are no outer shells on them that prevent the penetration of pathogens.

As a result, all pathogenic bacteria are able to penetrate into tissues, leading to an inflammatory process.

Tap water is not sterile, so the risk of infection is greatest. Bacteria and microorganisms in such water can penetrate the seam, leading to serious consequences.

Additionally, doctors do not recommend wetting the postoperative suture, since water complicates the healing process.

For these reasons, an aerated dressing is used in the form of gauze dressings. Sometimes the postoperative suture is left open.

The wound is dried with special antiseptic solutions with dehydration of an alcoholic solution of iodine, fucorcin.

You can wash after the operation of excision of the appendix only a day after the removal of all the stitches. If these rules are violated, the following consequences are possible:

• There is a pathological process in the wound, infection of the subcutaneous fatty tissue, which is very dangerous;
• The wound will take longer to heal;
• After the inflammatory process, the wound can be closed by secondary intention. A rough, uneven scar is formed.

A partial washing technique can be used. It is called phased, when the wound does not need to be wetted.

Bathing features

Since wounds should never be wetted, it is recommended to process the suture after carrying out hygiene procedures.

Before starting, be sure to consult with a surgeon. The procedures begin to be carried out only with his permission.

The doctor will exclude all possible complications and prescribe the correct recommendations for the care of the seam:

• Be sure to carry out mechanical treatment of the seam with antiseptic preparations;
• Follow a special diet;
• Eliminate heavy lifting and physical activity;
• Wear the bandage correctly.

The seam itself should not be wetted; it can be treated with special antiseptic agents.

After the patient is discharged from the hospital, it is allowed to wash the seam with a weak solution of potassium permanganate. This procedure is carried out 3 times during the day.

In addition to potassium permanganate, it is recommended to use other drugs that do not irritate or dry out the wound:

• Hydrogen peroxide 3%;
• Iodine;
• Fukortsin;
• Castellani solution;
• Zelenka.

Some patients ignore the recommendations of doctors and disregard the rules. They begin to shower until the wound heals.

This is absolutely impossible to do. When showering, the seam can come apart and pose a serious health hazard.

Immediately and necessarily and immediately consult a doctor.

Shower after surgery

The recovery period after appendicitis surgery depends on many factors. Bathing plays an important role in this process.

Many patients are irritated by the inability to fully shower or bathe after an appendectomy. But the rules cannot be disregarded, so the wound cannot be wetted. After 15-20 days, you can wash yourself after the operation, but this should be done gradually.

Initially limited to a light shower. At the time of bathing, do not rub the seam so as not to disrupt the tissue structure.

The bathroom is taken only after 2-3 weeks. To avoid complications, warm water is used instead of hot water.

Contraindications

There are certain rules for taking a shower that must not be violated:

• Use hygiene products of unknown brands that can lead to allergic reactions;
• Use soap or other care products that contain a large amount of acids and other harmful substances;
• It is forbidden to rub the excision site with a washcloth;
• Take a hot shower.

Hygiene procedures are allowed only after consultation and permission of the attending physician.

Bathing rules after surgery

When the attending physician gives permission to carry out water procedures, it is worth paying great attention to safety and accuracy.

To begin with, you should carefully remove the bandage, plasters from the wound. If the patient is weak, be sure to resort to the help of relatives and friends.

With their help, you should bring the patient into the shower, and after bathing, help to get out. Take a shower under a stream of warm water, gently pouring water over the wound. Make sure that the wound does not get wet.

Avoid direct hits of the jet at the incision site. You should stand with your back to the source of water so as not to provoke any pain.

Observe the following precautions so as not to damage the wound:

• After a bath or shower, carefully monitor the dryness of the incision;
• To avoid the ingress of pathogenic microorganisms, swim exclusively in clean water;
• When bathing, it is better to use very soft washcloths or a piece of soft cloth;
• During the rehabilitation period, a visit to the doctor is not neglected so that the specialist monitors the healing process;
• When using soap (with the permission of the doctor), do not apply it to the seam.

After carrying out water procedures, the wound is carefully treated. Next, they put on a soft clean robe or wrap themselves in a warm towel.

After endoscopy

Sometimes appendicitis is removed using an endoscopic technique. In this case, several punctures are made in the abdominal cavity, through which the abdominal cavity is examined and surgical intervention is performed.

This technology allows the operation to be carried out without leaving long incisions after. But this method also leaves punctures.

Such injuries also require the same precautions and care as in abdominal surgery.

If you experience pain or other discomfort when bathing, immediately consult a doctor.

You can not self-medicate and ignore regular visits to the doctor after discharge. Follow all the rules and recommendations of a specialist.

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