Please Advise Me As To The Best Type Of Post-surgical

Posted on Mon, 22 Jul 2019

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Mon, 22 Jul 2019 Answered on

Last reviewed on

Question : Please advise me as to the best type of post-surgical dressing to use for a person with diabetes who has just had emergency bowel obstruction surgery in Albania. We will take the supplies to Albania, but need guidance as to what to take. Supplies limited in Albania and the doctors don’t speak English. THANKS!

Answered by Dr. Ramesh Kumar (41 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Collagen dressing(you can get them online also).

Detailed Answer:
Hello and thanks for choosing "Ask a Doctor" service for your query,
Have seen your details.
The best type of dressing for your patient would be collagen type.
Collagen helps migrate numerous types of cells, including fibroblasts and keratinocytes, to the wound, which plays a major role in boosting tissue growth in a wound bed. These properties encourage natural growth to occur fast.
It's available online in case you have problem getting it at pharmacy due to language problem.
Secondly insulin should be given to patient for minimum of 10 days and strict control of blood sugar levels should be maintained for proper wound healing.
Vitamin C and folic acid help in fast healing they should also be given.
Hope I was helpful.
Follow ups are welcome.
In case you are closing the forum do rate the answer.
Thanks and may the patient get well soon.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad

Follow up: Dr. Ramesh Kumar (2 hours later)

This detailed information is very helpful. Would you advise a collagen gel or a collagen-laced bandage or both? The incision is 10 inches long. Thanks again

Answered by Dr. Ramesh Kumar (5 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Apply gel followed by Bandage.

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thank you for follow up,
Initially put collagen gel over the area with stitches after that dress it up with collagen laced bandage. Change it every 3rd to 5 th day(Depends on advise of your surgeon)

Take good care of blood sugar level.
As adviced earlier for rapid wound healing-
Vitamin C tablet 500 mg once
Folic acid 5 mg once
Multivitamin B complex tablet once.
Good care of fluctuating glucose levels.

Hope I was helpful,
Follow ups are welcome.
Any suggestions to make answer better are welcome.
Do rate it.
I wish best of luck to the patient.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T