Emergency Surgery

With soft tissue injurie/ laceration it is advisable to have the wounds cleaned, irrigated thoroughly under LA. Following this manoeuvre, the wounds are then closed with dissolving sutures and a waterproof dressing applied. The preferred level of activity/mobility following the procedure is advised by Mr R on a patient/injury specific basis. At 7-10 days the waterproof dressing is removed (by the patient or by our clinical nurse specialist) and the wound is then exposed, and appropriate scar care, massage and topical silicone therapy given out. When outdoors, these scars are protected with sun protecting factor for 8-10 weeks following the procedure in order to ensure comfortable, subtle healing of the scars.

In certain patients, for example paediatric patients under the age of 10/11 years, if the wound is clean and deemed suitable for conservative management, then the wound edges are merely put together with steristrips and a further protective dressing applied on top. Adequate advice is given in terms of activities/ mobility in order to ensure that the dressings are kept clean, dry during the healing period of the wound. At 10 to 14 days post injury, the steristrips are removed by our clinical nurse specialist and advice is given on scar care, massage and topical silicone as above.

With certain scenarios, for example lacerations on the face/ forehead in young infants and children. Mr Ragoowansi prefers to have a lengthy discussion with the parents and paediatric nurse on the merits of operative vs non operative treatment of the wounds. This is primarily due to the fact that in very young patients these wounds can only be closed safely, comfortably under general anaesthetic and therefore the risks and benefits are adequately discussed with the parents (sometimes in conjunction with our anaesthetist) so that an informed decision as to the safest treatment is reached.

Our patients are reassured that our expert team of paediatric nurses, clinical plastic surgery specialists nurses and office staff are available at all times to provide advise/ information with regards to dressings, post-operative scar care and level of activity commensurate with the stage of healing is concerned.