How to make the incision heal?

The patient should keep the incision clean, wash with soap and water, note the posture of living to avoid stooping or lifting heavy objects.

According to Dr. Ngo Bao Khoa, Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Hospital of Ho Chi Minh City University of Medicine and Pharmacy, after the surgery, there were patients who were healthy but still had to continue treatment because of surgical wound infection. This is a complication that may occur in any surgery.

Older patients, obesity, smoking, diabetes, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease are at high risk of surgical wound infection . Other factors such as prolonged surgery, poor surgical operations, unsafe sterile conditions, postoperative complications also increase the risk of infection.

Keep the incision clean and dry, only soap and water should be used for washing.

Patients can reduce their risk by losing weight if obese, quit smoking, adhere to the regimen of medication and nutrition. Keep the incision clean and dry, only soap and water should be used for washing.

"Early detection of surgical infection symptoms for timely treatment helps to curb this condition. If signs such as enlarged incision, fluid ooze or blood, redness or warmth, fever, patient need tell the doctor to check , " said the doctor.

Dr. Khoa said that improper living postures also affect the incision . Most patients after surgery have a stooping shape, two shoulders are forward, and the neck is retracted to reduce the stretch of the incision. This position will cause pain and affect the healing of the incision by reducing blood circulation in the shoulder and neck area.

Therefore, the patient needs to keep his body straight, his arms swinging gently to follow. C to sit up safely: lie on your side, bring your feet out of bed and lift your head, use your hands to lift yourself up. When you want to lie down, the sick person should sit on the bed, lift his leg, tilt his body to one side and lower his head, use his hands to support himself slowly.

Dr. Khoa advised patients not to exercise too hard while the sternum is healing, about 12 weeks. Within the first 6 to 8 weeks, do not lift objects that weigh more than 2kg and do not do the tasks to repeat one side of the shoulder such as sweeping, cleaning the house .

After surgery, the patient may experience cough symptoms. When coughing, hold your hand to hold the breast to limit pain, adversely affect the incision and notify your doctor if you cough a lot.