Guidelines for perineal wound care

Who is this leaflet for?

This leaflet contains instructions for patients who have had surgery resulting in a wound to their perineum.

Introduction

Following surgery you have a wound on your perineal area (bottom). It is important to keep this area clean and dry to aid comfort and encourage healing.

While in hospital the stoma care nurses recommend the following

• Use an air mattress on your bed and air cushion on your chair.
• Only sit out of bed for 30 minutes at a time.
• Try to lie on your side in bed.
• Clean your perineum twice daily with warm water (do not use soap or disinfectant) and ensure you pat dry the area. The nurses will check your perineum regularly throughout the day and assist with cleaning while you’re not very mobile.
• Avoid dressings and sticking anything onto your perineum/buttocks.
• If the area is oozing, pads can be used and checked every two to four hours.

Once home

• Sit for short periods of time only. We encourage you to gently mobilise between sitting and rest on your side in bed as needed.
• You might have been loaned a ‘Valley Cushion’ from the stoma nurses or via your delivery service. This is a special cushion that takes the pressure off your perineum. (Please return the cushion to the stoma care department/delivery service after six weeks).
• Continue to clean the area twice daily. This can be done in your shower with the shower hose under gentle pressure and the area patted dry.
• If the area continues to ooze, please use a pad, change it every few hours and wash the wound during the changes. Pads can either be bought at a chemist or supermarket or if your needs are ongoing, your community nurse may be able to help.
• The stoma nurse will check your perineum when you return to the stoma clinic and seek advice from your surgeon if they are concerned.
• The area can take some time to heal and might be uncomfortable for a while.
• Occasionally a special dressing called a VAC pump is used. If this is the case, you might go home with it and be referred to the district nurse so that they can complete these dressing changes.

Contacts / further information

Stoma care department – telephone 01223 216505

Ward L4 – 01223 348545