Post-operative First-Aid Guide for Patients

After surgery, proper care of the surgical site is crucial to ensure healing and prevent infection. Post-operative hygiene is one of the most important steps patients can take at home to promote recovery and avoid complications.¹

Importance of Post-operative Hygiene

Keeping the wound clean after surgery is very important as it can help in:²

Postoperative wound care with Povidone Iodine 

Povidone-iodine (PVP-I), or Betadine, is a commonly used antiseptic to clean surgical wounds. It helps reduce germs such as bacteria, viruses, and fungi around the wound, which lowers the chance of infection.⁴

• Before you start dressing the wound, wash your hands well with soap and water.
• Gently clean the skin around the wound with a PVP-I solution using clean gauze. 
• Do not rub or press too hard, as this can hurt the healing tissue. 
• After cleaning, apply a thin layer of PVP-IOintment / Cream to the wound. 
• Cover the wound with a clean, sterile dressing to protect it and help it heal.

Change the dressing as advised by your doctor—usually once a day or whenever it gets wet or dirty. Always use clean, sterile materials while changing the dressing.PVP-I solution or ointment/cream is safe for wound care when used properly and supports faster healing.⁵

Recognising and Reporting Unusual Symptoms⁷

Some redness and mild discomfort near the wound are normal during the healing process. However, increased redness, swelling, pus, foul smell, or worsening pain are signs of infection. Fever or chills may indicate a spreading infection requiring urgent medical attention. If any of these symptoms occur, contact your healthcare provider promptly. Early intervention helps prevent serious complications and promotes faster recovery.

Final Tips for Successful Healing

• Keep the surgical site dry unless advised otherwise.³
• Avoid strenuous activity that might damage the wound.³
• Attend follow-up appointments for wound monitoring.¹

By maintaining hygiene, appropriate use of antiseptics like PVP-I for wound cleaning and dressing, and promptly reporting any symptoms, you can support proper healing and reduce the risk of infection.⁴

References

1. Yao K, Bae L, Yew WP. Post operative wound management [Internet]. Australian Family Physician. 2013 Dec;42(12):867–70. [cited 2025 Jul 25]. Available from: https://www.racgp.org.au/afp/2013/december/post-operative wound management/

2. Human Care NY. The importance of wound care in postoperative recovery [Internet]. Human Care NY; 2023 [cited 2025 Aug 26]. Available from: https://www.humancareny.com/blog/the-importance-of-wound-care-in-postoperative-recovery

3. Vijayanagar Institute of Medical Sciences. Wash your hands for health: a comprehensive guide [Internet]. Bellary: VIMS; [cited 2025 May 30]. Available from: https://vims.ac.in/vims-hospital/wash-your-hands-for-health-a-comprehensive-guide/

4. Bigliardi PL, Alsagoff SAL, El-Kafrawi HY, et al. Povidone iodine in wound healing: A review of current concepts and practices. Int J Surg. 2017;44:260–8.

5. Care Hospitals. Betadine: Uses, Side Effects, Dosage, Precautions & More [Internet]. [cited 2025 Jul 8]. Available from: https://www.carehospitals.com/medicine-detail/betadine

6. Lachapelle JM, Castel O, Casado AF, et al. Antiseptics in the era of bacterial resistance: a focus on povidone iodine. ClinPract. 2013;10(5):579–92.

7. Cleveland Clinic. Surgical Wound Infection [Internet]. [cited 2025 Jul 25]. Available from: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/surgical-wound-infection