Help- question on antibiotics pre/post surgery.

[Terry]

Hi, I had a right hemicolectomy 13 months ago, the outcome wasn't very successful, firstly I was diagnosed with staff infection in the wound,& pretty much straight away I knew something wasn't right, I was very distended in the tummy area, my surgeon wouldn't acknowledge this on the 2 week check up and told me it would settle, and then again at 2 months post op I pointed it out to him again and he intimated it was weight,"ie pot belly". At 6 months post op I'd had enough of looking like I was 8 months pregnant (not a good look for a 58 year old woman) so I had my GP order a CT scan, long story short, I have a hernia with small & large bowel loops & stomach protruding, and a divarication of the stomach muscles, meaning they had completely split apart. It took me another 2 months to get an appointment with the surgeon and he put me on a 90 day waiting list. I have just been informed that the repair surgery will be done on the 24th of June, so 14 months after the 1st surgery. What I am wanting to know is because I developed Staff after the 1st surgery do I have to go on antibiotics before or at the time of this next surgery. I am seeing the surgeon about a week before so I would like to be armed with the right questions to ask. Thanking you . Terry.:sign0085: PS. And I still need my mud map for toilets in the area.

 

[Lisa]

Here in the US it is standard for antibiotics to be given just prior and after surgery. I would definitely ask about it. Also, is the same surgeon performing this surgery?

 

[Terry]

Hi Lisa, thanks for your response. Unfortunately yes, it is going to be the same surgeon, I don't have a choice with that being a public patient. The thing is I am unsure whether he even did my surgery or left me with a registrar, i am fairly certain it is the latter as there seems to be just too many mistakes for an experienced guy to have made, and any questions I have asked my surgeon he doesn't seem to know the answer to. This is why I have made an appointment to see him prior to him doing the repair so I can make sure he is going to address everything that needs to be done! I will ask about going on the antibiotics prior to the new surgery. thanks again. Terry.

 

[upsetmom]

Hi Terry

Sorry l have no idea about the surgery your having but l do have experience with staph infections. My husband got golden staph after his first brain surgery, a year later he had the same operation and was given antibiotics at the time of surgery and they continued for a few days. He had no infection the second time. Good luck and make sure you ask for the antibiotics.

 

[Terry]

Thank you for your response upsetmum. I was pretty sure that they would have to put me antibiotics prior to the surgery, so yes I will definitely asked the surgeon to start me on a course. Thanks again. Terry.