Incision Care: Steri-Strips, Staples & Stitches
A dressing is another name for a bandage. This bandage protects your incision, keeping the wound clean and creating an ideal environment for healing . Dressings should be changed according to your healthcare provider’s instructions.
An incision is a cut that’s made in your skin during a surgery or procedure. Sometimes, this is also called a surgical wound. The size, location and number of incisions can vary depending on the type of surgery.
Procedure Details
How are incision(s) closed?
Incisions can be closed in several ways, including:
Stitches (sutures).
Staples.
Tissue glue.
Steri-Strips™ (a special kind of adhesive tape).
A sterile dressing is usually placed over your closed incision to keep it clean and dry while the wound heals.
How do I care for my incisions after surgery?
It’s important to follow your healthcare provider’s directions when it comes to caring for your incisions after surgery. Taking care of your incision(s) as instructed promotes healing, reduces scarring and reduces your risk of infection.
Some general tips for incision care include:
Always wash your hands before and after touching your incisions.
Inspect your incisions and wounds every day for signs your healthcare provider has told you are red flags or concerning.
Look for any bleeding. If the incisions start to bleed, apply direct and constant pressure to the incisions. If you experience any bleeding, you should call your healthcare provider for instructions.
Avoid wearing tight clothing that might rub on your incisions.
Try not to scratch any itchy wounds. Your incisions might feel itchy as they heal — this is normal. Don’t scratch them. If the itchiness gets worse instead of better, call your healthcare provider.
A few general tips to keep in mind for different types of incision closures can include:
Staples and Stitches: You can wash or shower 24 hours after surgery unless you're directed otherwise by your healthcare provider. Clean the area with mild soap and water and gently pat dry with a clean cloth. Your provider will remove your staples when your wound is healed. Some stitches dissolve over time — others need to be removed by your provider. Dissolvable stitches may be held in place by strips of tape (Steri-Strips).
Steri-Strips: You can wash or shower with Steri-Strips in place. Clean the area with mild soap and water and gently pat dry with a clean towel or cloth. Do not pull, tug or rub Steri-Strips. The Steri-Strips will fall off on their own within two weeks. After two weeks, gently remove any remaining Steri-Strips. If the strips start to curl before it’s time to remove them, you can trim them.
Tissue glue: The glue should be kept dry and the incisions should be kept out of direct sunlight. The glue will dry out and fall off within five to 10 days.
What supplies are needed to change a dressing?
There are a few basic supplies you will need to change a dressing. These supplies include:
Gauze pads.
Disposable medical gloves (optional).
Surgical tape.
Plastic bag (for disposing of old dressing, tape, etc.).
Scissors.
What steps are involved in changing a dressing?
There are several steps involved in changing the dressing for your incision. Your healthcare provider will give you detailed instructions and will usually show you how to change your dressing. If you have any questions, call your provider.
Step 1: Prepare the area for changing a dressing.
First, you or the caregiver who is changing your dressing needs a clean surface to work on. Pets should be moved to a different room and your caregiver should remove any jewelry. Wash the surface where supplies will be with soap and water and cover with a clean cloth or paper towel.
Step 2: Removing the old dressing.
First, you’ll prepare your new dressing. Open the gauze package(s) without touching the gauze. Next, cut new tape strips. Set aside.
To remove the old dressing:
Wash your hands by wetting them down, adding soap and washing for 30 seconds (about the time it takes to sing “Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star”). Make sure to also clean under your nails.
Rinse your hands well and dry them with a clean towel.
Put on medical gloves (if available) and loosen the tape holding the dressing in place.
Remove the old dressing. Unless your doctor has said to remove the dressing dry, you can wet it if it sticks to the wound to help remove it. Throw the old dressing and dirty medical gloves into a plastic bag.
Step 3: Cleaning and rinsing the incision.
If you are showering, the incision will be cleaned during your shower. You can apply the dressing after your shower as instructed by your healthcare provider. If you aren’t showering, you should flush the incision as instructed by your healthcare provider.
Always inspect your incisions for signs of infection.
Step 4: Applying a new dressing.
If your surgeon prescribed a topical ointment, apply a very thin layer of the ointment to the incision.
Hold a clean, sterile gauze pad by a 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 gauze pad. (This is the tape that you already cut and set aside in step 2.)
Put all trash in the plastic bag, remove your gloves and add them to the trash bag.
Seal the plastic bag and throw it away.
Wash your hands.
Wash any soiled laundry separately. Ask your provider 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 when you’re healing, including:
Always wash your hands before and after touching your incisions.
Follow your healthcare provider’s instructions.
Follow your provider’s instructions about changing the dressing.
Avoiding removing the tape strips, picking at staples, tissue glue or stitches.
Keep your incisions dry (make sure the incision sites have been patted dry after washing).
