How are you able to keep bandages/dressings on post surgery for an extended amount of time before it can be washed/changed without getting an infection?

Question

Just had knee surgery and I’m supposed to keep this bandage and dressing on as well as not wash the leg for at least a week until my follow up.

I get that it was sterilized before be operated on and washing too soon could cause infections to the incisions but I don’t understand how leaving the same bandage on without cleaning it doesn’t cause infection.

In: Chemistry

Answer 1

Because the covering of the wound paired with the preemptive sterilisation will create an environment of extremely slow bacterial growth, if any. This allows your body to fight off what little does manage to grow under the dressing.

The anti bacterial cleansers they use to dress the wound are really good. I’m assuming they put the clear coverings over your incision sites?

Did they use Tegaderm? It will stay stuck down until you want to peel it, and will remain waterproof, yet create a breathable barrier for your skin.

If they didn’t leave the covering on, the wounds will heal wonky too, the scabbing process actually hinders healing, if you can prevent the wound from truly scabbing up (via these coverings) they heal much faster.

Source: recently had surgery on my back and a piece of Tegaderm on it for a week andca half as the wound healed.

Edit: I only spoke of Tegaderm, a gauze wrapping and proper covering and taping will achieve the same effect.