MID-AMERICA SARCOMA INSTITUTE
HOWARD G. ROSENTHAL, MD
5701 W. 119TH ST., SUITE 308
OVERLAND PARK, KS 66209
913-498-6840 * 1-888-LIMBSAV * FAX 913-696-1434
POST-OPERATIVE CARE
- 1. Your surgical wound is closed with either external staples or sutures, or dissolvable sutures buried under the skin. Your surgeon will inform you of what type of closure was used. You may remove your dressing no less than three days following your surgery and replace it with a clean, dry gauze pad or ace wrap on a daily basis.
- 2. If Steri-Strips are present across the wound, leave these alone until they fall off by themselves or start to curl at the edges at which time you may remove them. If you do have Steri-Strips in place, your sutures are absorbable and are underneath the skin and not visible. Please keep your wound dry for five days following your operation.
- 3. If you have sutures or staples present, leave these alone until you are seen in the office for their removal, typically 2-4 weeks following surgery. Please keep your wound dry until your staples or sutures are removed. When you bathe, please secure a waterproof dressing over the wound.
- 4. Please do not swim in a pool, lake, ocean, or use a hot tub until you are seen by your physician following your first post-op appointment.
- 5. You may develop some swelling or bruising around the incision. You may also develop a scab over the incision. This is normal and will resolve on it own accord. There will be some blood on the Steri-Strips as well. This is normal.
- 6. You should use an ice pack directly on the wound at least 20 minutes every 2 hours for the first few days following your surgery. You should elevate your limb well above the level of your heart as much as possible; this includes sleeping with the affected limb elevated.
- 7. You may massage Vitamin E oil or Udder Cream or Bag Balm directly onto the scar beginning after the fifth post-surgical day. This will make the scar softer and more pleasing cosmetically.
- 8. During your surgery a sample of tissue may have been evaluated by our pathology department as a preliminary study. This initial, but preliminary diagnosis is frequently known and will be relayed to you if known. However, the final report which will be the basis for your continued treatment will not be available for four to six days. Dr. Rosenthal or Ms Haynes will call you when this report is available to give you the information as soon as it is received. The diagnosis as well as the treatment plan will be discussed with you in greater detail at your first post-operative appointment (usually one week after surgery).
- 9. Activity restrictions:
Use crutches or walker as directed by PT (if indicated)
Use sling or splint as directed if indicated
- 10. Please call the office at 913-498-6840 for an appointment in one to two weeks.
********PLEASE CALL FOR YOUR APPOINTMENT AS SOON AS POSSIBLE********
If you have any concerns or questions, do not hesitate to call our office and ask for Kim Haynes, RN.
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