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Do I need to be on antibiotics after removing peice of wood left hand
Surgeon recommends removing 1/16" piece of plywood splinter left in my hand 2 months ago. Stuck a shard of wood in left hand at the end of June and area became inflamed but got some antibiotics a week later when area became red and inflamed. Took Bacatrin and after a week area returned to normal but have a lump in my palm where scar tissue formed to encapsulate the wood and protect the body.The American Orthopedic "clean hands" policy ' doesn't recommend antibiotics but if the area of infection that is encapsulated is removed isn't there a chance to leave infection to smolder and possibly worsen. Look at the antibiotic and just an extra layer of protection as I know the body will do most of that on its own. Is this not the appropriate therapy?
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Doctors are less inclined to use antibiotics as liberally as in the past.
If you have any risk factors such as joint replacements, artificial valves
or immunosuppressed status it is worth discussing with your surgeon.
Your tetanus vaccine history was likely addressed.
If there is any suspect drainage at surgery the specimen could be cultured.
If the wound resulting doesn’t require closing with sutures you may be instructed to use another topical antibiotic with the directions for
for wound care.
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4 ReactionsHello @lstill. I second what @seniormed has shared in that your surgeon will likely assess the wound area when removing the wood splinter and prescribe the appropriate treatment for post-op care. Like @seniormed mentioned, many providers and studies show that being more strategic with how and when we use antibiotics is needed to maintain their effectiveness long term.
@lstill, is there a known infection currently? Have you discussed this with your surgeon? Things can change quickly as there is always the possibility things look different once any surgery starts. Have you discussed all the outcomes depending on what they find when they remove the splinter?
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1 ReactionJust my experience as Ssc (and more) went to my then-primary's walk-in to have remnant of organic debris from simple yard work, removed (aka "splinter"), as had previously gotten most out myself safely. was now beginning inflammation and coming from a medical family, knew when to seek care. Was told by licensed person on duty to go home, soak, and see a dermatologist/surgeon if worse in 5 days. Duh -was already migrating to bone. Left in a quiet huff, went to other WI, asked if they could take out a splinter - 5 minute soak, sterile needle popped it out, left antibiotic script @ pharmacy IF did not improve - which it did once offending item gone. Had i followed their insane advice, might be "short" a finger today (not the talking one, fortunately). Give consideration to your surgeon's advice - my primary was so not happy. The body can & does do great things, but often needs outside help - especially when something "outside" ends up "inside".
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2 ReactionsI feel with the infection present that the antibiotic is just an extra layer of protection to help the body clean up the infectious organisms.....If the body has been weakened in any way the little extra may make the difference in a serious or potentially life threatening condition
The wood shard was off of a 4x8 sheet of OSB plywood I was cutting to put in the bottom of a boat floor...I got an antibiotic 6 days after it happened at the walk in clinic and week later it was fine....my body encapsulated the wood in scar tissue and am sure that it also contains some of the pathogenic organisms. That is my concern removing it by a surgeon without antibiotics it may allow the infected tissue to generate a smoldering infection after removal