Wound dressings will remain on for 5-6 days post operation. Dressings can then be removed and your wound can be washed in shower. Observe for signs of infection such as increased redness, swelling, pain, ooze or heat. If you notice any of these signs contact the private rooms (Ph. 38477133). If it is out of hours you can contact the Greenslopes (Ph. 33947654) or Mater Private
(Ph. 31631000) emergency departments.
Wound information after Removal of Melanoma
Direct Closure
Leave wound dressing intact for 5 days following your operation. After this time, remove the dressing and wash the wound in the shower. Do not scrub the wound. You will not have any stitches to be removed as they will be subcutaneous (underneath the skin) and will dissolve.
Flap Repair
Leave wound dressing intact for approximately 5 days following your operation. After this time, remove the dressing and wash the wound in the shower. Do not scrub the wound. Stitches will need to be removed 7-10 days following your operation. Please make an appointment with Dr Barbour and the clinic nurse will remove these.
Skin Graft
Wound
Leave wound dressing intact for approximately 5 days following your operation. After this time your wound will need to be cleaned and redressed. The skin will have some degree of numbness for 2-3 months. It will take time for the graft to fade to a pale colour and for the graft site to strengthen. The grafted site should be protected from any secondary injury by avoiding sunlight, rubbing and cold extremities.
Graft Donor Site
The dressing on your thigh where the skin graft is taken
(donor site), is to remain on for 10-14days. The wound may ooze through the dressing and need to have some extra padding applied. Following removal of this dressing the site will be quite red/ pink to begin with, but will fade to the colour that you scar. Simple non fragranced moisturizing cream should be massaged into site 2-3 times daily.

Discharge with Drains
Following a Lymph Node Dissection you will be discharged from hospital with drains. These drains remain until the amount of fluid draining is less than 50 ml per day. The drain may be in for several days up to weeks until the drainage stops.
Care of the drain sites is similar to your wound. Wash daily in the shower and monitor for any signs of infection, such as redness, tenderness or heat. If there is no oozing it is ok to leave the drains without a dressing covering them.
However, for your comfort you may like to cover with a dry dressing. It is also important that you coil and secure the drains with tape so they do not pull when you are moving around. This should be shown to you by the nurses before you leave hospital.
You will also be shown how to empty the drainage bags. It is important to keep a record of how much is draining each day. Community nurses can be arranged if you need assistance with drain care. But please note, the cost of this service will vary depending on your health fund.
Gastro Intestinal and Soft Tissue Clinic
Greenslopes Private Hospital
WOUND
INFORMATION