Patient Care
Looking after Cutiva™ PLUS while it’s caring for your wound
Your healthcare provider has chosen to use the Cutiva PLUS Skin Closure System to close your wound
Cutiva™ PLUS is a combination of a self-adhering mesh patch and a liquid adhesive that allows the incision or wound to be held together during the healing process.
Cutiva™ PLUS should remain in place until your healthcare professional has indicated that adequate healing has occurred, which is usually anywhere between 7-14 days. In most cases, Cutiva™ PLUS is easily removed with little or no discomfort.
If you notice that Cutiva™ PLUS is at risk of coming off too early, contact your healthcare professional.
Things to know
Bathing or Showering
If directed by your healthcare professional, you may occasionally and briefly wet your incision or wound that was treated with Cutiva™ PLUS in the shower or bath. Do not soak or scrub your incision or wound. Do not swim or soak your incision or wound in water. After showering or bathing, gently blot your incision or wound dry with a soft towel. If a dry protective dressing is being used over Cutiva™ PLUS, it should be replaced with a fresh, dry protective dressing after showering or bathing as directed by your health care practitioner. Care should be taken so that any tape that may be part of the dry protective dressing does not come into contact with Cutiva™ PLUS because when the tape is removed, it may also remove Cutiva™ PLUS.
Wound Healing
If you experience any redness, swelling, discomfort, warmth, or pus, contact your healthcare professional. He or she will determine how your incision or wound is healing and take the necessary steps to address any issues.
Exercise
Do not engage is strenuous exercise that may cause additional stress on your incision or wound. Follow your healthcare professional’s guidance about when you can return to your normal activities.
Skin Creams, Lotions, or Liquids
Topical skin creams, lotions, liquids, or any other product (other than dry bandages) should not be applied to the incision while Cutiva™ PLUS is in place. These may loosen Cutiva™ PLUS from the skin before the skin/wound has completely healed.
Removing the Cutiva™ PLUS System
Your healthcare professional will determine when the healing process of your incision or wound has been completed and Cutiva™ PLUS is ready to be removed, which is usually between 7 to 14 days. When healing is complete, your healthcare professional will carefully peel off the Cutiva™ PLUS mesh.
Prior to removal, do not rub, scratch, or pick at the mesh. This may loosen the adhesive and mesh before the skin/wound has healed.
If you notice that Cutiva™ PLUS is beginning to loosen too early and may be at risk of coming off, contact your healthcare professional.