Incision Care: Steri-Strips, Staples, and Stitches (2023)

Overview

What is an incision?

An incision is a cut made in the skin during surgery or a procedure. This is sometimes also called a surgical wound. The size, location, and number of incisions may vary depending on the type of surgery.

What is a dressing and how often should dressings be changed?

A bandage is another name for a bandage. This dressing protects your incision, keeps the wound clean, and creates an ideal environment fortreatment. Bandages should be changed according to your doctor's instructions.

Procedure Details

How are the incisions closed?

The incisions can be closed in a number of ways, including:

• Stitches (sutures).
• Forks.
• Fabric glue.
• Steri-Strips™ (a special type of adhesive tape).

A sterile bandage is usually placed over the closed incision to keep it clean and dry while the wound heals.

How should I care for my incisions after surgery?

It is important to follow your doctor's instructions when it comes to caring for your incisions after surgery. Caring for your incision(s) as directed promotes healing, reduces scarring, and reduces the risk of infection.

Some general incision care tips include:

• Alwayswash handsbefore and after touching your incisions.
• Inspect your incisions and wounds every day for signs that your doctor has told you are red flags or worrisome.
• Look for any bleeding. If the incisions begin to bleed, apply constant, direct pressure to the incisions. If you experience any bleeding, you should call your doctor for instructions.
• Avoid wearing tight clothing that may rub against your incisions.
• Try not to scratch the itchy wounds. Your incisions may itch as they heal; this is normal. Don't scratch them. If the itching gets worse instead of better, call your doctor.

Some general tips to remember for the different types of incision closure may include:

• staples and stitches: You may wash or shower for 24 hours after surgery unless your doctor tells you otherwise. Clean area with mild soap and water and gently dry with a clean cloth. Your provider will remove the staples when the wound has healed. Some stitches dissolve over time; others must be picked up by your provider. Dissolvable stitches can be secured with strips of adhesive tape (Steri-Strips).
• sterile tapes: You may wash or shower with the Steri-Strips in place. Clean the area with mild soap and water and gently pat dry with a clean towel or cloth. Do not drop, drag or rub the Steri-Strips. The Steri-Strips will fall off on their own in two weeks. After two weeks, carefully remove the remaining Steri-Strips. If the strips start to curl before it's time to remove them, you can cut them off.
• fabric glue: The glue should be kept dry and the incisions should be kept away from direct sunlight. The glue will dry and fall off within five to 10 days.

What supplies are needed to change a bandage?

There are some basic supplies you will need to change a bandage. These supplies include:

• Gauze.
• Disposable medical gloves (optional).
• surgical tape.
• Plastic bag (to dispose of old dressings, tape, etc.).
• Scissors.

What are the necessary steps to change a bandage?

There are several steps involved in changing the dressing for your incision. Your doctor will give you detailed instructions and will usually show you how to change the bandage. If you have any concerns, call your provider.

Step 1: Prepare the area for the dressing change.

First, you or the caregiver changing the bandage need a clean surface to work on. Pets must be moved to a different room and all jewelry must be removed by their caretaker. Wash the surface where the supply will be located with soap and water and cover with a clean cloth or paper towel.

Step 2: Remove the old bandage.

First, you will prepare your new dressing. Open the gauze packs without touching the gauze. Then cut new strips of tape. Put it aside.

To remove the old bandage:

1. Wash your hands by wetting them, adding soap, and washing for 30 seconds (about the time it takes to sing "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star"). Be sure to clean under your fingernails as well.
2. Rinse your hands well and dry them with a clean towel.
3. Put on medical gloves (if available) and loosen the tape holding the bandage in place.
4. Remove the old bandage. Unless your doctor has told you to remove the bandage dry, you can moisten it if it sticks to the wound to help remove it. Throw away the old bandage and dirty medical gloves in a plastic bag.

Step 3: Clean and rinse the incision.

If you are showering, the incision will be cleaned during the shower. You can apply the bandage after showering following your doctor's instructions. If you are not showering, you should wash your incision as directed by your doctor.

Always inspect your incisions for signs of infection.

Step 4: Application of a new bandage.

• If your surgeon has prescribed a topical ointment, apply a very thin layer of the ointment to the incision.
• Hold a clean, sterile gauze pad by one corner and place it over the incisions. (This is the gauze that you opened and set aside in step 2.)
• Tape all four sides of the cheesecloth. (This is the tape you already cut out in step 2.)
• Put all the trash in the plastic bag, remove your gloves and put them in the trash bag.
• Close the plastic bag and throw it away.
• Wash hands.
• Wash dirty clothes separately. Ask your supplier if you should add bleach during the wash cycle.

What can I do to reduce the risk of infection?

There are several things you can do to reduce your risk of infection as you heal, including:

• Always wash your hands before and after touching the incisions.
• Follow the instructions of your doctor.
• Follow your provider's instructions on how to change the dressing.
• Avoid removing strips of tape, handling staples, fabric glue, or stitches.
• Keep your incisions dry (make sure incision sites are dry after washing).

Risks / Benefits

What are the signs of a possible infection in an incision?

It is important to know the signs of an infection when caring for an incision. Infection is always a risk of surgery. Keep a record of all possible signs of an infection so that if you do notice a possible infection, it can be treated quickly.

Signs of a possible infection may include:

• Wound with thick, fetid and opaque discharge. This is usually a white or cream color.
• A bad smell from the incision.
• Opening of the incision line: it becomes deeper, longer or wider.
• Redness beyond the basic edge of the incision: The site should show signs of improvement and not be red.
• Heat, hardness, around the incision.
• Fever (greater than 101 degrees Fahrenheit or 38.4 degrees Celsius), sweating, or chills.
• Variations in blood sugar levels in a person with diabetes.

What are the general risk factors for developing an infection?

People most at risk of developing an infection are those who have:

• Diabetes.
• A history of smoking.
• Overweight.
• poor nutrition.
• Weak immune system (for example, a person inchemotherapyor older person).
• Recent emergency surgery or a lengthy surgical procedure.

Recovery and Prospects

What are the limits of activity during the healing of an incision?

Staying active improves healing by improving blood flow. After some types of surgery, your doctor may recommend that you avoid lifting, pulling, stretching, exercising, or playing sports for a month after surgery. Following these instructions will prevent the incision line from opening up and promote healing.

How long does it take for an incision to heal?

Good incision care can help make sure it heals well and infection doesn't develop. In most cases, a surgical incision heals in about two weeks. More complex surgical incisions will take longer to heal. If you have other medical conditions or are taking certain medications, your healing time may be different.

When to call the doctor

When is it important to call the doctor?

Call your doctor if you experience:

• Bleeding that does not stop with pressure.
• If there are signs of infection.

If you have questions or confusion about incision care instructions, call your doctor.

A note from the Cleveland Clinic

When caring for an incision, it is important to strictly follow your doctor's instructions. If you have any questions about your instructions, please contact your provider.