Sutured/Stapled Wound Wound Type Description Aims Dressings Other Considerations used for the al agents for surgical wounds that are A surgically cleansing of healing by primary intention should not be Manage serous fluid created wound, sutured / used to reduce the risk of surgical site exudate from wound or laceration stapled infection. Monitor for indications of with no skin loss surgical infection (refer to infected wound section wounds. and algorithm) Low Exudate Vapour whose edges permeable film can be brought Dependant Surgical wounds that do not appear to be Vapour permeable together and upon the healing within the expected time frame nature of should be treated as chronic wounds. film with central pad held in place the surgical with sutures or Moist cotton gauze should not be used to wound, Moderate / High staples manage surgical wounds that are healing by patients Exudate Foam secondary intention should be dressing advised The aims of treatment are to disturb the wound as An appropriate interactive occlusive that they little as possible to allow healing and prevent dressing should be used to manage may shower Post operative bacterial invasion. surgical wounds that are healing by (rather wound secondary intention. An aseptic non-touch technique should be used for than bathe) management 48 hours changing or removing surgical wound dressings. Whilst the routine Linked information: after cleansing of Surgical wound guideline surgery. wounds is not Aseptic and clean dressing techniques for Protect against trauma of clothing etc advocated, if clinical practice The use of required sterile topical Provide optimal wound healing environment saline should be
Sutured/Stapled Wound Wound Type Description Aims Dressings Other Considerations A surgically created wound, or laceration with no skin loss whose edges can be brought together and held in place with sutures or staples The aims of treatment are to disturb the wound as little as possible to allow healing and prevent bacterial invasion. An aseptic non-touch technique should be used for changing or removing surgical wound dressings. Protect against trauma of clothing etc Provide optimal wound healing environment Manage serous fluid exudate from wound Low Exudate Vapour permeable film Vapour permeable film with central pad Moderate / High Exudate Foam dressing Post operative wound management Whilst the routine cleansing of wounds is not advocated, if required sterile saline should be used for the cleansing of sutured / stapled surgical wounds. Dependant upon the nature of the surgical wound, patients should be advised that they may shower (rather than bathe) 48 hours after surgery. The use of topical agents for surgical wounds that are healing by primary intention should not be used to reduce the risk of surgical site infection. Monitor for indications of infection (refer to infected wound section and algorithm) Surgical wounds that do not appear to be healing within the expected time frame should be treated as chronic wounds. Moist cotton gauze should not be used to manage surgical wounds that are healing by secondary intention An appropriate interactive occlusive dressing should be used to manage surgical wounds that are healing by secondary intention. Linked information: Surgical wound guideline Aseptic and clean dressing techniques for clinical practice al