VASCULAR SPECIALISTS of SAN FRANCISCO Dr. John Long, Dr. Marc Levine, Dr. Daniel Nathanson 3838 California St., Suite 612 San Francisco, CA 94118 415-221-7056       fax 415-221-7058

Physicians Vascular Lab Diseases Treated Procedures Patient Education Pre/Post Procedure Instructions Office Information Wound Care Home

Wound Care Principles The body is a miraculous machine that has many built-in mechanisms to help repair any injury. There are a number of simple steps that can help the process along. Failure to follow these will slow healing, prevent healing, or lead to infection. The first thing necessary for a wound to heal is adequate blood flow. This is why patients with damaged arteries may need angioplasty, stenting, or by-pass surgery to increase blood flow. Next the body must be able to return blood to the heart without obstruction. Patients with a history of heart failure, or vein problems fall into this category. The wounds must be cleaned and all damaged tissue removed. A wound that can't breathe can't heal! Finally, a swollen leg wound can never heal. Wounds heal by contraction, swelling pulls them apart. Elevation, pressure wraps, or support hose will help avoid or correct swelling. The only way to guarantee that your wound will heal correctly is to understand why you have it, and to take responsibility for its care. TYPES OF WOUNDS AND THEIR CARE: 1) SURGICAL INCISIONS. All surgery incisions will heal best if washed daily with soap and water. Elevate leg wounds and avoid swelling. Minimize exposure to the sun for six months for the best cosmetic outcome. Creams with Vitamin E can help some incisions after the first week. 2) WOUND INFECTIONS: These are an unpleasant outcome of surgical procedures. With proper care they will heal and the scar will look fine. Washing the open wound daily, or if instructed, two times a day, with soap (any type) and water is critical. It will be necessary to rub the open wound using a washcloth or soft brush. Amazingly, this will quickly stop hurting, and often the more vigorous the washing the faster the healing. At the beginning it may help to take pain medication about one hour before the wound care. This will soon not be necessary as the wound improves. After washing apply a gauze dressing and wrap. Your surgeon will give further instructions, and if necessary a Visiting Nurse will be arranged. Elevating your legs is important when not walking. 3) LEG ULCERS: Most the time these are the result of some minor injury, which then does not heal immediately. It will be important to be sure that the arterial blood flow is adequate, and our office will always check this. If you have had an ulcer for more than a month, you should consult a Vascular Surgeon. The wounds should be washed daily with soap (any type) and water, then apply gauze moistened with saline. An ace bandage can be used to hold the dressing in place and avoid more damage to your skin. It is also critical to avoid any swelling. Your legs must be elevated any time you are not walking…REMEMBER: A swollen leg will NEVER heal.