Post -Op After Incision & Drainage of Infection

You have had an incision and drainage procedure to help evacuate pus from an infected area. A small drain has been placed into the incision site to encourage drainage of pus.

Please try not to disturb the surgical wound or the drain by touching it with your fingers or tongue. The drain is sutured into place and will be removed by Dr. Loving in a few days when the swelling improves.

1. Apply firm direct pressure on the surgical site for 30-60 minutes at a time by biting on a piece of moistened gauze to control bleeding. If active bleeding persists, apply firm direct pressure on the bleeding site with a moistened tea bag for 30-60 minutes. Tea has tannic acid which is an astringent. The firm direct pressure and tannic acid help to stop bleeding by constricting blood vessels.

2. Gauze and/or tea bag pressure may need to be repeated several times to control active bleeding. Slight blood-tinged saliva or blotting blood on the gauze may persist for a day or two after surgery. This is normal and generally does not require management with gauze pressure.

3. It is usually best not to use ice or heat immediately after draining an infection. Ice will tend to slow down the resolution of the infection. Heat may assist in spreading the infection if used during the first 72 hours after incision and drainage. After 72 hours, if the pain is diminished, the swelling has started to resolve and temperature is normal, application of a heating pad to the side of the face may help to improve drainage and speed up healing.

4. You should begin rinsing your mouth and brushing your teeth on the evening of surgery or the first day after surgery. Use a saltwater rinse, one-half teaspoon of salt mixed in a glass of warm water at least 5-6 times a day. If Dr. Loving has prescribed Peridex (chlorhexidine) oral rinse, it should be started on the evening of surgery or the next day. It is extremely important that you take your antibiotics exactly as prescribed. If you experience nausea/vomiting, diarrhea, rash, hives, itching, or wheezing due to your medication please call our office immediately. It is important to remember that most pain medications including Tylenol, Advil, Motrin, ibuprofen, Percocet, and Tylenol with codeine, among others, will temporarily bring an elevated temperature down, masking a fever. Always take your temperature at least four and one-half hours after taking your pain medication to ensure an accurate reading. Antibiotics do not directly affect body temperature and will not cause false thermometer readings. If you develop a fever of 101 degrees F. or higher please call our office immediately for further instructions.