Ophthalmology minor operations Nurse practitioner in surgery Information for you Follow us on Twitter @NHSaaa Find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/nhsaaa Visit our website: www.nhsaaa.net All our publications are available in other formats
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When you visited your GP or the Ophthalmology Clinic, you were told that you needed minor surgical procedure. A specially trained, nurse practitioner will perform this procedure, Sister Maureen Sloan who works closely with our Ophthalmology Doctors and Consultant Plastic Surgeons. What happens before my surgery? You will meet Sister Sloan, and she will ask you to identify the area of concern or the lesion that needs to be removed, or the area that requires a biopsy. She will explain what will happen during surgery and ask you to sign a consent form. At this time, you can ask any questions or discuss any worries or concerns you may have. Before your surgery, you should know: You will be left with a scar. This may be quite prominent and slightly longer than the lesion. There is a small risk of infection and bleeding following any surgery. There is a small risk of delayed wound healing and the wound may split. There is a small risk of surrounding nerve damage. 3
Before your surgery, you should let Sister Sloan know if you have ever suffered an allergic reaction to: The local anaesthetic, or adrenaline Latex or rubber Betadine skin cleanser or Iodine Surgical dressings or adhesives Chloramphenicol eye ointment Before your surgery, you should let Sister Sloan know if you are taking any medication such as: Aspirin Clopidogrel Ibuprofen Warfarin Dabigatran Apixiban Rivaroxaban 4
What happens during surgery? Sister Sloan will mark in pen, the lesion that needs to be removed, or the area that requires a biopsy. She may put anaesthetic drops into your eye. She will give you a local anaesthetic injection to numb the area to be operated on. This may sting for one or two minutes. The numbness will last for around two to three hours. You will not feel drowsy and will be fully awake during the procedure. You will still be able to feel, but you should not feel any sharpness, pain or discomfort during the surgical procedure. You may have stitches. Sister Sloan will let you know when these should be removed. You may be able to go to your family doctor (GP), district nurse or hospital to get the stitches removed. We will let you know where you should go for this. Some eye ointment may be used on your wound and a small dressing may be put on. What happens after surgery? After the procedure you will be offered tea and biscuits. Most patients can leave hospital immediately afterwards. 5
We will give you an information leaflet with advice on wound care. You may experience slight bruising and swelling around the area where the surgical procedure was performed. We may need to see you again. If so, we will arrange another appointment. If you have not been given a review appointment, you should contact your family doctor (GP) three weeks after the procedure for the results from removal of the lesion (pathology report). Appointment cancellations If you are unable to attend your appointment, please telephone the Ophthalmology Secretary to let us know, so that another patient can use your appointment. If you have any questions regarding your appointment please contact: Ayr Hospital Ophthalmology Secretary: 01292 610 555 Extension 14684 6
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All of our publications are available in different languages, larger print, braille (English only), audio tape or another format of your choice. Tha gach sgrìobhainn againn rim faotainn ann an diofar chànanan, clò nas motha, Braille (Beurla a-mhàin), teip claistinn no riochd eile a tha sibh airson a thaghadh. 0800 169 1441 Tell us what you think... If you would like to comment on any issues raised by this document, please complete this form and return it to: Communications Department, 28 Lister Street, University Hospital Crosshouse, Crosshouse KA2 0BB. You can also email us at: comms@aaaht.scot.nhs.uk. If you provide your contact details, we will acknowledge your comments and pass them to the appropriate departments for a response. Name Address Comment Last reviewed: March 2016 Leaflet reference: OP16-002-CC/PIL16-0026