To close up the incisions made during surgery your surgeon will typically employ sutures, dissolvable sutures and steri-strips, or staples. For patients who receive sutures or staples they will need to be taken out around 10 to 14 days after your procedure.
Patients who qualify to receive in-home care can speak with the home coordinator to arrange for a home care nurse to come and remove the sutures or staples. However, if you do not qualify for home care, be sure to schedule an appointment with your surgeon’s office or your primary care physician to have your sutures or staples removed.
Immediately after the spinal surgery procedure, the medical staff will apply a dry gauze dressing to the incision area to help with draining. The dressing must stay on the incision until the incision is no longer draining. Once draining has stopped, the dressing can be removed and the incision can be exposed to open air.
When you have returned home from the surgery center it is important not to apply any ointments, lotions, or oils to the incision, but allow it to heal on its own. Also, remember not to soak your incision in water. This means no baths or swimming. Quick showers are acceptable, but speak with your surgeon for specific instructions.
If you experience any bleeding, an increase or change in draining, increased redness and swelling, or fevers, do not hesitate to call your surgeon or get taken to the emergency room.