How many days are stitches removed after appendicitis?

Many patients who have undergone surgery to remove appendicitis are interested in how the stomach will look after the operation. The healing process depends on the condition of the sutures. Patients are interested in how many days the sutures are removed after the operation, why the suture is thickened or hurts, and why a drain is installed.

What is postoperative suture?

The postoperative suture is a connection of peritoneal tissues with the help of medical threads. There is no need to remove the stitches after the operation, as they are self-absorbed by the body.

The most unfavorable is the divergence of the seam.

Also, when using strong threads, knots can form. In addition to these unpleasant moments, there are several more manifestations that should alert the patient:

• pain at the suture site;
• infiltrate near the seam;
• induration on the peritoneum.

If these symptoms appear, you should consult a doctor.

scar healing

The condition of the external scar depends on the correctness of the surgical actions. The threads used during the operation dissolve after a while.

The threads used in the stitching of the peritoneum are removed by the doctor after about a week. In any case, the postoperative scar will remain for life.

An experienced specialist in the state of the scar can judge the correctness of the surgeon's actions during the operation. Also, his condition can tell about the duration of the recovery period.

A normal suture after appendicitis has the following features:

• located 2-3 cm from the pubic bone;
• localized in the right side of the peritoneum;
• has a horizontal direction;
• the skin at the suture site should not be hyperemic and painful.

There are also several nuances. They need to be monitored during the recovery period.

1. The length of a normal suture is 7-9 cm. In the presence of a thick fatty layer, the suture can be 10 cm. It also increases if there are complications during the operation. In rare cases, the seam can reach 25 cm.
2. The scar heals over time, but does not disappear completely. The duration is 1 year and is associated with the regeneration of epithelial cells.
3. At first, the seam has a pinkish color. However, it fades over time.
4. The condition of the suture may worsen when the wound becomes infected. Also, the condition of the seam worsens due to improperly selected threads.

Also, the healing of the suture depends on compliance with medical recommendations. Within a couple of weeks, the seam will be clearly visible. However, soon it will begin to drag on.

If you touch the scar, you can find a seal. This is normal, as connective tissue is formed during the healing process.

What are the reasons for seams to come apart?

In order not to worry every day about the possible divergence of the seams, you need to know the reasons why this happens. Seam breaks are divided into two types:

• internal;
• skin.

Internal sutures connect the muscles of the peritoneum to each other. Skin sutures are located on the surface. In both cases, the patient has severe abdominal pain.

Pain in the suture area, protrusion, redness, itching and other signs - all this can lead to the development of complications. Therefore, if symptoms appear, you should immediately consult a doctor.

When is drainage needed?

Drainage is a medical device that allows you to avoid purulent and inflammatory diseases. A tube is installed inside the wound, the ends of which are brought out. In this way, wounds are cleansed of pus. Usually its presence is easily tolerated by patients, and the period of use is 3-4 days.

Features of rehabilitation

Usually, the removal of sutures is painless, in some cases, tingling may be noted. This is normal, so no need to worry.

Typically, the patient stays in the hospital for no more than 10 days. Extending the term is rare.

After the operation, the medical staff should tell the patient about the features of rehabilitation after an appendectomy. The main features are:

1. The patient is allowed to get out of bed a few hours after the surgery.
2. A day after the operation, the patient is allowed to do light physical exercises. Heavy physical activity should be excluded until the end of the rehabilitation period.
3. Bed rest should not be prolonged for a long time. Because of this, the patient may experience the formation of adhesions, which will lead to difficulties and additional treatment.
4. To speed up recovery, a special diet is required.

In the hospital, the seam is treated with external antiseptics. In extreme cases, 3% hydrogen peroxide acts as an antiseptic.

Therapeutic diet

Since diet is the main path to recovery, the following rules should be observed:

• nutrition should be fractional, should be eaten 5-6 times in small portions;
• you should observe the drinking regimen, drink at least 1.5 liters of water per day. However, in the early days, on the contrary, you need to drink as little water as possible;
• on the first day, you can eat vegetable broth or jelly. You can also eat vegetable salads;
• eliminate foods that increase gas formation from the diet. This may cause the seams to come apart.

It is important to monitor the stool after surgery. Lack of stool or constipation is an unfavorable sign. In case of intestinal obstruction, you should immediately consult a doctor. Various laxatives can be taken to relieve constipation.

Seam care at home

Many patients mistakenly believe that the rehabilitation period ends after discharge from the hospital. However, it is not. During the stay in the hospital, the suture cannot completely heal. The body is not yet strong and therefore it is necessary to follow the recommendations not only in the hospital, but also at home.

To prevent the development of complications and pathological processes, the following recommendations should be observed:

1. Many patients, once at home, immediately want to take a hot bath. However, water procedures are contraindicated for the next two weeks. It is allowed to take a shower or wipe with a damp towel.
2. After a shower, it is necessary to treat the seam with alcohol. It is also recommended to treat with antiseptics, for example, iodine or brilliant green.
3. If the patient feels unwell or is sore, it is not recommended to get out of bed. This can only be done as a last resort.
4. In the first 1.5 months after the operation, it is necessary to limit physical activity. In an unfavorable case, the seam may disperse.
5. After the operation, it is allowed to go swimming and do a little exercise. However, these procedures should not cause overwork.
6. The expansion of the diet should be gradual. First you need to eat liquid food in order to count on the normal functioning of the intestines.
7. The diet should consist mainly of plant products. They have a positive effect on tissue healing.
8. After the operation, it is recommended to wear a bandage or corrective underwear.

These recommendations must be followed to avoid the development of complications.

Possible Complications

In the first couple of weeks after the operation, it is necessary to carefully monitor the condition of the suture. A change in color or soreness is a sign that you need to urgently see a surgeon.

A hard suture after appendicitis, covered with spotting, is an unfavorable symptom. This indicates a divergence of the inner seam. To do this, call an ambulance, as urgent surgical intervention is required.

Elderly patients, as well as patients with comorbidities, may develop complications even if the rules of rehabilitation are observed.

To prevent possible complications, you need to measure body temperature daily. An alarming fact is the temperature of 37 degrees, which lasts for more than two days. This indicates a purulent inflammation that requires urgent treatment.

The presence of nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, stool disorders - all these are symptoms of intestinal obstruction and adhesive disease, which can be fatal.

A rise in temperature to 39 degrees is a sign of wound infection and possible blood poisoning.

The most severe complication is purulent thrombophlebitis of the portal vein. The patient's body temperature rises to 40 degrees, unbearable pain in the liver, yellowing of the eyeballs. In this case, urgent help is required.

Thus, one must carefully monitor the sutures after the removal of the appendix. Compliance with the recommendations of the doctor and knowledge of all the nuances guarantees a speedy recovery.