The recovery time of osteotomy varies with the surgical site and individual physique, but it usually takes about one month to one and a half months on average.

Swelling stage (3-5 days after operation)

The swelling period is 3-5 days after operation. Because the blood vessels and tissues have not healed after the operation, blood and tissue fluid will ooze from the wound. At this time, continuous ice compress is needed to relieve bleeding.

Detumescence period (5-30 days after operation)

After 5 days, the blood vessels and tissues healed and there was no bleeding. At this time, warm and hot compress can be used to accelerate circulation and metabolism, which can effectively help reduce swelling. Some patients will drink Chinese medicine (Pteris vittata) to help reduce swelling. During this period, if combined with postoperative detumescence drops and hyperbaric oxygen therapy, it can speed up the detumescence and shorten the recovery period. The expansion period can be divided into rapid expansion period and gradually auxiliary expansion period.

Rapid swelling stage (7- 14 days after operation)

One to two weeks after operation, the swelling speed is quite fast, and the swelling can be reduced by about 60%. This 60% is mainly due to bleeding and congestion in the wound. It is helpful to accelerate the swelling with warm and hot compress.

Progressive auxiliary detumescence period (14- 30 days after operation)

After two weeks, the swelling almost disappeared, and it basically looked close to recovery, but there was still some slight swelling. It seems that the face feels a little baby fat, and some patients may feel some asymmetry on both sides of the face, mainly because the wound oozes blood and congestion, and the residual tissue is swollen. At this time, it is necessary to wait for the tissue to soften slowly before the swelling can be completely reduced. Such swelling disappears slowly, and other * * * auxiliary detumescence is needed, which is generally matched.

The above describes the recovery process after osteotomy, which lasts about 1.5 months. Patients undergoing osteotomy should be patient and choose the right way to help them recover during the recovery period. Some patients abuse folk therapies to recover quickly, such as acupuncture, catgut embedding and plastic surgery. Although it may achieve the purpose of reducing swelling, it will increase the probability and risk of infection. I would like to remind patients undergoing osteotomy not to

Nursing care after osteotomy

Nursing after osteotomy is very important. The quality of nursing may affect the length of recovery period, and even improper nursing may cause inflammation and infection. We must not take it lightly.

But is it troublesome to take care of the bones after osteotomy? Actually, it's not at all Most of the incised bone wounds are in the mouth. There may be a wound in the sideburns during cheekbone surgery, but the wound is only about 1 cm. Sticking gauze and changing dressing regularly can make the wound get good care. However, the wounds of mandibular angle and chin osteotomy are in the mouth, and drainage tubes will be placed in the mouth for the first three days to help blood drainage. Cleaning after meals is very important, and you need to rinse your mouth on time.

Besides drinking water for the first four days after operation, you must rinse your mouth with iodine after eating, and then rinse your mouth with salt water. If you want to rinse your mouth with boiled water or disinfectant, don't rinse your mouth with tap water or mineral water. You can rinse your mouth with mouthwash after eating on the fourth day. Following this procedure for postoperative care can effectively reduce complications and risks.

Avoid eating raw food, seafood and food with residues for one month after operation, so as to avoid residue getting stuck in the wound or bacterial infection causing wound inflammation and complications. The problem of tooth decay may also cause infection and increase the chance of complications, but as long as you finish gargling on time, there is basically no problem.

Nursing steps after osteotomy:

The first four days after operation: after meals, use iodine to operate the mouth, and then rinse your mouth with salt water or distilled water. A drainage tube will be placed in the mouth to help blood drainage in the first three days after operation, and the drainage tube will be removed on the third day. Eat liquid food without chewing residue.

The fifth day after operation: start gargling with mouthwash. Eat liquid food without chewing residue.

On the seventh day after operation: you can start eating food that needs chewing, but you must continue to gargle.

(Excerpted from: Kaohsiung Fabo Clinic, Taipei Fabo Plastic Surgery, Qiu Longbi, Qiu)