Organizing your hospital stay
Postoperative Care
Postoperative Care
The objective of postoperative care in neurosurgery is to prevent or minimize complications related to anesthesia and the surgical procedure.
Postoperative care after surgery is crucial for ensuring complete recovery and a return to normal life. The duration of the recovery period can vary depending on many factors, such as the extent of the surgery, other medical conditions, and adherence to care instructions.
While each patient remains a unique case, Doctor Collignon and his assistants have listed some key elements of postoperative care after surgery:
• Pain Management: Pain management is an important component of postoperative care. Pain medication may be prescribed to help alleviate pain.
• Wound Care: It is important to keep the wound clean and dry. You may request a home nurse (via your health insurance or general practitioner – a prescription will be given to you upon discharge from the hospital) or a family member to clean the wound daily if wet, or every two days if the wound remains dry. The dressing must also be replaced until your stitches or staples are removed (10 to 15 days after your surgery). ALWAYS KEEP THE SCAR DRY, DISINFECTED, AND WITH A CLEAN DRESSING
• Early Mobilization: Early mobilization is encouraged to help prevent complications such as blood clots and pulmonary infections. Depending on the surgery performed, certain movements will be encouraged, while others will be prohibited. See below for specific postoperative instructions after lumbar or cervical spine surgery.
• Postoperative Consultation: This consultation will be arranged before your hospital discharge to remove stitches/staples (10-15 days after your surgery) and to check healing and mobility parameters. This initial postoperative consultation will be organized with one of Doctor Collignon's assistants. Subsequently, follow-up appointments with Doctor Collignon may be arranged to monitor healing and ensure everything is progressing well, often 1 to 2 months after your surgery. In some cases, Doctor Collignon may request that you undergo certain examinations before your follow-up consultation (MRI, CT scan, etc.). Please call the CHIREC radiology secretariat at +32 (0)2 434 88 46 to schedule your appointments.
• Rehabilitation: Active participation in a physiotherapy program may be prescribed by Doctor Collignon to help accelerate recovery and improve functional outcomes. Please note: ensure you never begin physiotherapy sessions before the removal of stitches/staples.
If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to discuss them with your general practitioner or contact Muriel Hansoul, who will liaise with Doctor Collignon.
Postoperative Instructions After Lumbar Spine Surgery
Activities and Movements to Avoid:
✓ Do not drive a car for 1 month (according to car insurance regulations for any spinal intervention). You may travel as a passenger in a car, but avoid excessively long journeys after the operation (maximum +/-20-30 minutes). If a longer journey is essential, try to take breaks to walk a little before resuming travel.
✓ Avoid sitting for too long. It is fine to sit, for example, to eat your meal, but prioritize standing, lying down, or a semi-seated position.
✓ Resume walking gradually. Start with 10-15 minutes, then rest a little. Resume walking if pain is controlled. Gradually increase walking durations according to your sensations.
✓ Do not lift heavy loads (max. 10kg).
✓ Do not bend forward by arching your back. Keep your back straight!!! And above all, avoid forced rotational movements.
✓ For sleeping: on your back or side. Avoid sleeping on your stomach. Try to keep your back aligned with your legs.
Your physiotherapist will show you the correct movements for getting in and out of bed.
The Scar
✓ Have the dressing changed at home by a family member or a home nurse until the stitches/staples are removed.
✓ If you shower: thoroughly dry the scar afterward with a clean towel. Then disinfect (isobetadine or Ibidil) and apply a clean dressing. If you need assistance, ask the home nurse to visit after your shower.
✓ Do not take a bath, nor use a swimming pool or sauna for at least 3 weeks after the procedure.
✓ In case of fever, redness, and/or swelling, present yourself to the emergency room.
Postoperative Instructions After Cervical Spine Surgery
Activities and Movements to Avoid:
✓ Do not drive a car for 1 month (according to car insurance regulations for any spinal intervention). You may travel as a passenger in a car, but avoid excessively long journeys after the operation (maximum +/-20-30 minutes). If a longer journey is essential, try to take breaks to walk a little before resuming travel.
✓ Do not lift heavy loads. (1-2 Kg is acceptable, avoid more)
✓ Do not maintain your head in a prolonged flexion and/or extension position.
✓ Do not keep your head immobile. You may gently mobilize it from side to side.
✓ For sleeping, choose a pillow that is neither too large nor too small to maintain the cervical spine in a neutral position (aligned with the rest of the spine).
✓ In case of cervical stiffness, do not hesitate to apply heat and massage to relax the cervical musculature.
