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Frequently asked questions (FAQ) |
- What is an outpatient surgery?
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It is a one day surgery which is undergone under high safety standards on body parts that heal quickly or for operations that need minimal invasion.
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- What are the safety measures that ensure a risk free surgery?
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- a well informed patient who understands his body, his disease, the operation and the expected role which he should assume for the success of the surgery
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- the pre operative preparation of the patient such as the laboratory, cardiologic and radiological examinations to exclude any disease
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- the lung and internal medical examinations for the anesthesia to guarantee a smooth anesthesia and recovery after the operation
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- the choice of the anesthesia which let the patient be operated on without pain but is as light as possible to permit a rapid regain of consciousness
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- the immediate postoperative nursing care on the observation ward
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- the last check up of the anesthetist and the surgeon before dismissal from the surgical center
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- the valuable close contact of the surgeon after the operation for immediate care
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- the early ambulation which guarantees mobilization of the patient to avoid blood coagulation in the veins and to force active breathing and muscle activity
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- Why should I fast before the surgery?
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The anesthesia and sometimes some surgeries initiate a reflex to vomit. The risk of inhalation of the stomach contents or the rest of the food into the lungs is very high. The inhalation of the rests of the food may result in pneumonia which may lead to death. This is easily avoided when you fast. Be advised that chewing gum leads to the production of a lot of saliva.
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- Why should I shave the area of the surgery before surgery?
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The presence of hair my interfere with healing and may lead to infection.
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- What is the importance of the blood laboratory tests before the surgery?
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The liver function tests ensure the health of the liver. The liver is the organ which deals with the narcotics and the medications given during and after the surgery. The kidneys excrete these medications and that is why their function is examined. The chemical reactions of the body is enhanced through the minerals which are present in the serum. We must insure a normal blood sugar level. High blood sugar level interferes with wound healing and invites infection.
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- Is it important to be exposed to a chest x-ray?
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Yes, if you are a smoker or older than 40 years, then there is suspicion of having restricted lung capacity and function. The x-ray will check this. The lung functions tests will also ensure the condition of your respiratory system. The lung is very important for the exchange of gases during the anesthesia.
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- Does this apply to the ECG also?
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Yes, you are under medications which affect the vegetative nerve system and you may suffer from arrhythmia (heart beat changes) during the anesthesia if your heart is not healthy.
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- Why is it advisable to sleep well before the surgery?
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It is important to get rid of any secreted adrenalin which is excreted because of the stress whether due to short sleep or long journey. This is the basis recommendation for long sleep before surgery. During sleep the body reconditions it’s reactions and concentration increases the next morning.
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- Why is urine analysis important before surgery?
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Urine may be the source of contamination of the wound after the surgery. This very simple measure to devoid the urine from bacteria before surgery, protects the wound and guarantees a smooth healing.
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- Can I sign the consent of the anesthesia and surgery immediately before surgery?
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No, you should sign it at least 24 hours before surgery so as not to be under stress or the effect of sedation.
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- What is the benefit of taking a laxative before the surgery?
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The empty bowel results in a soft abdominal muscle wall which facilitates surgery. A soft abdomen makes respiration and movements after the operation more comfortable.
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- Why are common cold and chest infections cause for delaying the operation?
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These may delay wound healing. They are also a cause for pain when the patient coughs. Coughing increases the abdominal pressure and may lead to hernia.
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- Is make-up dangerous to wear on the day of the surgery?
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Yes, body creams may interfere with the absorption of ointments by the skin. They make the face area slippery which is not good for the manipulations of the anesthetist around the mouth.
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- Is it advisable to take medications for pain before the surgery?
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No, please do not. Pain medications may interfere with the action of anesthesia medications.
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- Can I sleep on my side after the operation?
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This is not recommended. Sleeping on your back allows you to breath better and avoids putting any pressure on the wound area. Other lying positions are only applicable according to the site of the wound and the condition of the body.
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- May I return home immediately after the surgery?
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If you are from very far a way, it is highly recommended to be near the surgeon. The immediate postoperative time is very important for the detection of any immediate complications which may be acute and should be treated immediately.
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- What are the signs of infection which necessitate immediate contact with my surgeon?
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These are unpleasant crippling or feeling in the wound, redness of the skin, swelling of the organ, increase of temperature, discomfort and discharge from the wound.
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- What are the signs of bleeding which necessitate immediate contact with my surgeon?
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These are redness of the wound dressing, Paleness of the organ, unusual blue color or bruising, dizziness, slight loss of consciousness, heart palpitation, drop of blood pressure. unusual pain or feeling in the abdomen or shoulders.
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- Why should I avoid all these groups of drugs mentioned above?
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These drugs are cardiac or nerve medications that may interfere with the anesthesia or the post operative medications. Some drugs must be modified for the period of the anesthesia to avoid synergetic or contradicting effects.
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- Can I take care of my wounds and dressing and judge the healing of my wounds myself to spare time of the regular daily visit to the doctor?
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No, you can not do so as you arefail observing any important sign which when early treated may avoid complications. Please report to an experienced doctor at sight to let him take care of you personally and judge your clinical condition at the spot.
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- Is it possible to stay in contact with you through the internet to take care of me and my wounds after the surgery?
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It is possible to do so and even send me a picture of your wound on the web but this must be accompanied by the regular daily visit of an experienced doctor at sight. You can not judge your condition properly and you can not discribe medical happenings in a correct way. This may be deciving for me and hazardus for yoou. The internet communication is just a helping factor beside the trained actual medical report of your doctor at sight.
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Healing is a natural process during which the body renews cells to restore the injured tissues. The process is joined with a self defense mechanism to attack bacteria and mechanical insult as well as to promote the production of substances to restore tissue re hydration and healing. The process needs supplements to optimize the function of the immune system and biological reactions of the body.
What is injury?
It is the interference of the integrity of tissues whether through mechanical, chemical or physical factors. The mechanical factors could be trauma or surgery. The chemical factors include drugs and hazardous solutions and agents. The physical energy may be light like laser or thermal insults. Injury results in disturbance of biologic reactions of the body leading to weakness of cells or their death.
The physiological process of healing
At the start the body produces agents like serotonin and bradykinins; the so called transmitters which transfer feeling to the central nervous system to be analyzed and treated accordingly. The body sends a mass of white blood cells to defend the possibly attacking bacteria and other micro-organisms. After receiving the signals of injury, they are interpreted and the trial of fighting against it begins. The body starts to consume more fluids, vitamins minerals and trace elements. The biochemical process begins to maximize renewing cells of the injured area. This is a slow process.
At first the area is full of fluid with high salt content. The swelling starts to subside and some cells called the fibroblasts start to adhere to the surface of the wet tissues to protect them. These cells retract later to form the fibrous tissue responsible for retraction and wound closure. The area starts to develop new blood vessels and nerves which creep to give nutrition and feeling to the newly developing cells. These cells are in thin layers.
They are glistening and sensitive as they give little protection to the nerve endings of the area. The seal of the wound becomes complete and the newly developed fibrous tissue retracts. The formation of the scar is then complete. The scar needs about 6 months to develop well and to become less sensitive. It changes its color from the pale pink to darker in time. The overlying cells differ according to the area of injury. They are skin cells when superficial and lining cells (mucous membrane) if in one of the organs.
The clinical process of healing
The primary healing of tissues requires 6 weeks and it is completed in 6 months. In the case of genital surgeries, it is advisable to abstain from sexual intercourse during the first 6 weeks post surgery. Immediately after the operation, your wounds may be somewhat, if not extremely, painful and slightly burning. A mild swelling and bruising of the area is present. Ten to 20 percent of the patients have more or less intense pain in the first two to three weeks after the operation and a slower wound healing process follows. In this case your advising physician will support you if necessary.
Some patients may experience a reduction of sensitivity of the organ operated on, particularly the penis. This reduction in sensitivity is temporary and it disappears after 2-3 months, once the swelling and healing process inside the organ has settled down.
The scar is at first hypersensitive and it bleeds until it is completely covered with overlying cells. This hypersensitivity becomes less over a period of weeks until normal sensation is resumed. The color of the scar is usually pale but it becomes darker on deposition of melanin until it resumes the normal color of the skin and sometimes becomes darker.
The appearance of some scars is glistening, granular and pink. These scars bleed easily upon touch. This is called granulation. It is a natural process of healing and is considered healthy. It is an indication of the absence of bacteria. |
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