Removal of K-wires (Kirschner wires): aftercare advice

Following your surgery, K-wires were inserted to help you heal. These wires have now been removed. This leaflet explains the following.

• Whether your stitches need to be removed or not.

• How to care for your wound at home.

• Whether you will need a follow-up appointment.

We hope this leaflet answers some of the questions you may have. If you have any further questions or concerns, please speak to a member of your healthcare team.

Do my stitches need to be removed?

Your wound has been closed with stitches. You will be told before you are discharged from hospital whether:

• your stitches need to be removed, or

• whether they are dissolvable (they dissolve on their own).

If your stitches need to be removed, this will be done at your follow-up appointment.

Will I have a follow-up appointment?

Most patients have a follow-up appointment in the Fracture Clinic 2 weeks after surgery.

How do I care for my wound dressing?

You have been sent home from hospital with a dressing covering your wound. This will include:

• a dry dressing to cover your wound

• some gauze, and

• a crepe bandage.

Wear loose clothing over your dressing, as it will be bulky.

Remove the bandage and gauze the day after your surgery, leaving the dry dressing over your wound.

• Keep the dry dressing in place until your stitches are removed by the hospital.

• If you have dissolvable stitches, the dry dressing can be removed 5 days after your surgery and left open.

What if I have any questions or concerns about my wound?

If you have excessive bleeding, please contact one of the Day Surgery Centres as soon as possible.

If you have any pain, take painkillers as prescribed. If you are already taking other painkillers, please speak to a member of Day Surgery staff or your GP for advice to avoid an overdose.

• Canterbury Day Surgery Centre, Kent and Canterbury Hospital, Canterbury
  Telephone: 01227 783114 (7am to 8pm)

• Day Surgery, Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother (QEQM) Hospital, Margate
  Telephone: 01843 234499 (Monday to Friday 7am to 9pm)
  Telephone: 07887 651162 (Monday to Friday 9pm to 7am) (Bank Holidays and weekends, 24 hours a day)

• Channel Day Surgery, William Harvey Hospital, Ashford
  Telephone: 01233 616263 (24 hours a day, 7 days a week)