Posts about possible infections

There have been several posts about infections, or possible infections, to wound sites recently, and I wondered what people were told to do when they had their surgery?  I had my pacemaker inserted as a result of complications when I had a replacement heart valve fitted, and so admittedly I had an 8" (200mm) long scar down my chest to be concerned about as well as the little pacemaker incision, but I was told that my biggest risk at home was infection.

I wasn't told to do this, but I another patient I chatted to in the ward was bak because of an infection, and so wanting to be prepared I purchased some disposable wash cloths (Tena, which are strong enough to hold together when wet) and the pink, 'surgical scrub' cleaning fluid the hospital used pre-surgery to use gently after the initial period when they say not to touch the site at all, and made sure nobody shared my towel at home, as well as changing the towel every 2 or 3 days for a clean one.  Not sure if this was strictly necessary, but when I stopped a month or two later and went back to using a face cloth etc I started to get some little red spots near to, but not on, the wound.  I resumed the 'higher standard' washing and they disappeared in a few days.

8 Comments

Nope

by AgentX86 - 2018-06-17 20:42:47

I too have had a sternotomy (with its 8" scar) and was specifically told not to use any chemical cleaners, including soap directly on it (or the PM scar, when I had that) for several days.  I wasn't even supposed to get the scars very wet (water running down the body was fine).  The infection problem isn't from outside bacteria entering the closed wound, rather bacteria from the operating room entering the wound. 

When they crack open the chest, they leave a drain tube to let "stuff" drain out.  For a more "minor" wound, like a PM incision, they seal all the bad stuff up inside.  The problem is that the PM leads are a straight path from the PM pocket to the heart.

 

Thanks AgentX86!

by LondonAndy - 2018-06-18 01:37:21

So no matter what precautions we take, if we get it during surgery there's not much we can do about it!

No matter

by AgentX86 - 2018-06-18 11:54:07

No matter how many times you wash the outside of your car, the floor mats don't get any cleaner.

Possibility

by Thegirlparaglider - 2018-06-18 13:45:31

My scar was quite red so I had it checked at a walk in clinic, by a doctor and at my 4 week check. I am on antibiotics as it could be a topical infection. I have been super careful with the wound, no soaps, not touching it etc so it is possible to get an infection.

yeah

by The real Patch - 2018-06-19 13:22:54

yep, the medical professionals tell you not to get the incision wet just to scare the crap outta you for their own entertainment, there's really no risk of infection from outside ...

Wound infection

by Selwyn - 2018-06-19 14:31:19

Come on guys, get real!

Common sense tells you that if dirt/germs get into a wound there is going to be a source of infection. That is why the skin is always cleaned with antiseptic prior to surgery involved in opening skin. Having recently had numerous operations I can tell you this is still current practice. 

Today, I have just posted on how to look after a PM wound. Germs thrive in moist conditions. A recent media article, this week, showed how infected with germs, kitchen dish cloths are ( and for that your can read face cloths). Unless such cloths are bleached, boiled or otherwise de-germed, you would not to want them near to a surgical wound, nor near to your work surfaces.

Just prior to my lung surgery, I was made, in the hospital, to shower with antiseptic wash.  We carry a whole zoo of germs on our skin routinely.  Next thing you know, you will be telling me you don't even wash your hands after going to the toilet... perhaps you just like sucking your fingers!

( see http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-2680928/Which-household-item-dirtier-toilet-60-DISHCLOTHS-harbour-life-threatening-bacteria-UKs-filthiest-world.html )

Selwyn 

Apparently

by The real Patch - 2018-06-20 14:07:49

Selwyn apparently you don't get sarcasm. I am sick at the amount of misinformation dispensed on this site recently, some of it dangerous. But I guess you get what you pay for

Misinformation

by Selwyn - 2018-06-20 20:09:50

I think we all benefit from personal experience. The strength of this club is that there is so much personal experience. 

What we need to be aware of is where personal experience is not being expressed. If an opinion is arrived at not based on personal experience, then at least the source of information should be given.  Reader beware!  Be critical. 

If I had to be critical, where is the evidence for 'The infection problem isn't from outside bacteria entering the closed wound, rather bacteria from the operating room entering the wound. '?  This is not a personal experience!  I do wonder where such 'information' is derived from? Evidence should be based on reliable, peer accepted, science. 

Selwyn 

 

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