Understanding Your Incision Closure
Following a laparoscopic procedure, your surgeon will close the small incisions with a specific method chosen to promote the best healing. Understanding the type of closure you have is the first and most important step in knowing how to care for your wounds. For the most part, a bandage is only a short-term solution and should not be reapplied after the initial removal.
Types of Incision Closures and Dressings
- Surgical Glue (Dermabond): A sterile, waterproof liquid adhesive applied directly over the incision. This transparent or white film protects the wound and naturally flakes off over one to two weeks. It's often paired with dissolvable stitches underneath.
- Adhesive Strips (Steri-Strips): Thin, reinforced adhesive strips applied across the incision to hold the skin edges together. These are meant to stay on until they loosen and fall off on their own.
- Standard Bandages (Gauze or Adhesive): Applied directly after surgery to cover the wound. These are typically used for a very short period to absorb any initial drainage.
- Internal Dissolvable Sutures: Stitches placed beneath the skin's surface. These dissolve on their own over several weeks and do not require external care other than protecting the area.
Standard Incision Care Timeline
Your surgical team will provide precise instructions based on your procedure and the closure method used. However, here is a general timeline to help you understand the process of how long to keep laparoscopic incisions covered.
The First 24–48 Hours
This is the most critical period for keeping your incisions protected.
- Initial Dressing: The dressings placed by the surgical team are designed to protect the fresh incision from bacteria.
- Changing the Dressing: If you have standard gauze or adhesive bandages, you may be instructed to remove or change them after 24 to 48 hours.
- Blood or Fluid: It is normal to see a small amount of blood or yellowish fluid on the bandage. If it becomes saturated, you may need to change it, but follow your doctor's specific guidance.
The First 7–14 Days
After the initial 48 hours, the instructions diverge based on the type of closure.
- For Surgical Glue: The film is waterproof and should be left completely alone. It is important not to pick or scrub at the glue, even if the edges begin to peel. Allow it to fall off naturally over 5 to 14 days. After it's gone, your skin will be slightly pink but should be fully closed.
- For Adhesive Strips: These strips are also designed to stay in place. If they start to curl up and become loose, you can trim the loose edges. Leave the main part of the strip intact. The strips will typically fall off on their own within 7 to 10 days. If they are still in place after two weeks, your doctor may remove them at your follow-up appointment.
- For Standard Bandages: After the initial 24–48 hour period, many surgeons recommend leaving the incision open to the air as much as possible to speed up healing. You may choose to place a fresh, clean bandage if the incision rubs against clothing, but it is not typically required for healing.
Bathing and Incision Protection
Post-operative hygiene is vital, but how you wash needs careful consideration to protect your incisions.
- Showering: Most patients are cleared to shower 24 to 48 hours after surgery, depending on the dressing type. For those with surgical glue, you can often shower without covering the area, patting it dry immediately afterward. With bandages or adhesive strips, some doctors recommend covering them to keep them dry. The key is to avoid soaking the wound.
- Baths and Soaking: Avoid submerging your incisions in water, such as in a bath, hot tub, or swimming pool. Your surgeon will tell you when it is safe to resume these activities, typically after several weeks.
- Cleaning the Incision: After the initial protective dressing is removed, you can gently wash the area with mild soap and water in the shower. Do not scrub or rub the incision and avoid applying hydrogen peroxide or alcohol, as these can damage tissue and delay healing. After showering, pat the area gently with a clean towel.
Monitoring for Complications
Even with the best care, complications can arise. It is vital to monitor your incisions for signs of infection or other issues. Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following symptoms at the incision site:
- Increased redness, warmth, or swelling
- Pain that worsens over time, is intense, or is not relieved by medication
- Thick, yellow, green, or foul-smelling discharge or pus
- Fever or chills
- The incision begins to separate or open
- Excessive bleeding that soaks through a bandage
Comparing Common Incision Dressings
| Feature | Surgical Glue | Adhesive Strips (Steri-Strips) | Standard Bandage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Protection Type | Sterile, waterproof film | Reinforced tape strips | Absorbent gauze or pad |
| Typical Duration | 5–14 days, flakes off | 7–10 days, falls off | 24–48 hours, then open air |
| Bathing Instructions | Waterproof; pat dry after showering | Keep dry if possible; pat dry after showering | Remove before showering; pat dry |
| Key Action | Leave completely alone | Trim loose edges, don't pull | Remove and leave open to air |
For additional guidance on general wound care, reputable resources such as the Cleveland Clinic provide excellent information.
Conclusion: Your Path to Proper Healing
Knowing how long to keep laparoscopic incisions covered is about more than just a number—it’s about understanding the specific type of care your body needs to heal effectively. Adherence to your surgeon’s tailored instructions is paramount, as is vigilant monitoring for signs of infection. By following the guidance for your specific closure method, you can help ensure a speedy and complication-free recovery.
