Wound care advice following the removal of a skin lesion

Local anaesthetic

• If you have had an injection to make the area numb (local anaesthetic), it may take up to 4 hours for normal sensation to return
• If your mouth or lip has been numbed, avoid any hot or very cold food until the feeling has returned to normal

Bleeding

Some minor bleeding may occur after the surgery. If this happens, apply pressure continually for 30 minutes, using a clean tissue or a piece of gauze. If there is a dressing in place, do not remove it, but apply pressure over the dressing. This should control the bleeding.

If the bleeding continues and you are concerned, contact the Oral and Maxillofacial Department using the contact details found later in this page.

Pain control

The effects of the local anaesthetic will begin to wear off 1 to 2 hours after the surgery. The area may be uncomfortable or even painful.

We recommend that you use pain relief such as paracetamol or ibuprofen. Please follow the manufacturer’s instructions, and do not exceed the recommended daily dose. Always read the label especially if you take other medicines or if you have been given prescription pain relief.

Avoid taking aspirin, unless you are taking it for another medical reason.

Wound care

• Keep the wound dry for the first few days after surgery
• Be careful when drying the wound; try to dry by dabbing rather than rubbing
• Avoid over stretching the area for at least 2 weeks
• You will be advised when your dressing can be removed. Some dressings may be stitched onto the wound, if so, we will remove them at your next appointment. This will need to be carried out by our clinic nurses in our outpatient department and NOT at your GP surgery
• If you are prescribed an antibacterial ointment, this should be applied to the wound twice a day for 5 days (this ointment may be labelled as ‘eye ointment’ but it is to be applied to the wound as directed and not to the eye)

Infection

If the wound becomes hot, swollen, very painful or oozing pus with a smell / odour, this may be a sign of infection. Seek advice by contacting the Oral and Maxillofacial Department or your GP if you are concerned.

Post-operative appointments

On the day of your surgery, you will be told if a follow up appointment will be needed.

1) Removal of stitches (sutures)

• Stitches have to be left in for different periods of time, depending on various factors. Normally this is between 7 to 14 days. As a result, if you need to change this appointment, please ensure your new appointment is in a similar timeframe
• Stitch removal will be done either at your GP’s surgery or in our out-patient department.

• Sometimes dissolvable stitches are used. These begin to dissolve after about 5 days but can take up to several weeks to disappear completely
• If the stitches come out before they are due to be removed or if the wound opens up, please contact the Oral and Maxillofacial Department

2) Results

• During the surgery a tissue sample will be taken and sent to the Pathology Department for assessment. It normally takes 6 to 8 weeks for the results to be received
• The results will be discussed at this time with your surgeon.

Contact information

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery department or your GP.

Outpatient department

New and follow-up clinic booking enquiries

Tel: 0300 422 6940

Monday to Friday, 9:00am to 4:30pm

Minor surgery (local anaesthetic with/without sedation) booking enquiries #

Tel: 0300 422 3197

Monday to Friday, 9:00am to 4:30pm

Inpatient and Day Surgery Unit booking enquiries

Tel: 0300 422 8192

Monday to Friday, 9:00am to 4:30pm

Post-operative concerns (8am to 8pm)

If you have an emergency such as uncontrolled bleeding outside these hours, then please attend the Emergency Department at Gloucestershire Royal Hospital.

Further information

For more information, please visit the Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery webpage:

www.gloshospitals.nhs.uk/ourservices/services-we-offer/oral-maxillofacial-surgery/