After your operation

The dressing performed by the surgeon must be perfectly adjusted and comfortable and must compress without blocking circulation. Fingers should be monitored, if they become blue or white and insensitive, please notify the centre or surgeon quickly. If plasters are too tight, they will cause the same problems. You must alert the surgeon in good time.

Raising the operated limb and placing it as constantly as possible above the heart level (i.e. at shoulder level) is essential for preventing oedema and reducing pain. Moving your fingers, elbow and shoulder at least once an hour during the day prevents swelling and stiffness by facilitating blood circulation (you will be instructed about this).

You will be given an appointment after a few days in order to check the condition of your wound.

Rest at the centre or clinic. After surgery, even if performed under local anaesthesia, you will be asked to sit in an armchair briefly in order to monitor your pulse and blood pressure (duration: 15 minutes for local anaesthesia, 2 hours for intravenous anaesthesia and for an axillary block).

Post-operative pain usually lasts 1 to 3 days, but rarely longer. Your doctor will give you a prescription for appropriate pain relief. It is often a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug. If you are allergic to this medicine or if you have a stomach ulcer, please inform your doctor, who will prescribe you another medicine. Applying an ice bag to the hand or arm will allow you to combat pain effectively. An overnight stay at the clinic also provides better control of pain and general condition (injections, infusions).

If I have a problem, who do I contact?
During the night after the operation, you may experience some pain, but it should not be excessive. You will be able to relieve it with the medication prescribed to you. If the pain persists, you can always contact the office for advice or emergency appointments, or contact one of the emergency numbers provided to you on the information sheet handed out before your operation (see also the Contacts on this site).

If you feel unwell, contact the surgeon or your attending doctor, SOS doctors, Cantonal Hospital, the nearest Medical Assistance Point or the Clinique de la Plaine.

If the surgeon who has operated on you is temporarily inaccessible, he or she will be replaced by his or her assistant or by a colleague at the centre, and will apologise in advance if he or she cannot answer your call in person.