Wound dressing and professional wound care
After an accident, household injury or surgical procedure, a patient may need professional wound care, a dressing change or suture removal.
Republikas laukuma klīnika in central Riga provides care for postoperative and traumatic wounds, removal of stitches and surgical staples, and assessment of possible signs of inflammation or infection.
The clinic is open until 19:00 on weekdays and until 16:00 on Saturdays. Please arrange the time of your procedure with reception in advance.
Which wounds can be treated at the clinic?
The appropriate care depends on the cause, depth, condition and degree of contamination of the wound. Before changing the dressing, a healthcare professional assesses the wound and determines whether it can be managed safely in an outpatient clinic.
Care may be provided for:
- postoperative wounds and sutures;
- drain insertion or removal sites;
- minor cuts and lacerations;
- deep abrasions;
- wounds following household or sports injuries;
- selected minor burns and cold injuries;
- certain chronic wounds;
- venous ulcers;
- wounds associated with diabetic foot syndrome;
- pressure ulcers;
- inflamed or slow-healing wounds.
Depending on the condition of the wound, treatment may include cleansing, care of the surrounding skin, irrigation and application of an appropriate wound covering or sterile dressing.
A deep, extensive or heavily contaminated wound may require hospital treatment, particularly if it continues to bleed or there is suspected damage to a tendon, nerve, blood vessel or bone.
Postoperative wound care
After surgery, it is important to follow the surgeon’s instructions and change the dressing at the recommended intervals.
During a dressing change, the healthcare professional assesses:
- the condition of the wound edges;
- the presence and extent of redness;
- swelling and tenderness;
- any wound discharge;
- the condition of stitches or staples;
- the skin surrounding the wound;
- signs of possible wound separation or infection.
If necessary, the wound is cleaned and covered with a new sterile dressing.
If your operation was performed at another medical institution, please bring your discharge summary and postoperative instructions. These documents may specify when the dressing should be changed, when the stitches should be removed and when a follow-up assessment is required.
Care of traumatic wounds
Cuts, lacerations, puncture wounds and contaminated wounds require timely assessment. A healthcare professional evaluates the depth and nature of the injury, the level of contamination and whether additional treatment is required.
Treatment of a traumatic wound may include:
- controlling bleeding;
- irrigating and cleaning the wound;
- removing superficial contamination;
- applying an appropriate antiseptic;
- applying a sterile dressing;
- determining whether the wound requires suturing;
- assessing whether tetanus prevention is required;
- referring the patient to hospital.
Do not pour concentrated antiseptics into a deep wound, close it with household glue or attempt to remove a deeply embedded foreign object yourself.
If glass, metal or another object remains embedded in the wound, do not remove it. Stabilise the injured area and seek medical assistance.
Removal of stitches and surgical staples
Stitches and surgical staples should be removed by a healthcare professional. Before the procedure, the wound must be assessed to determine whether its edges have healed sufficiently and whether there are signs of inflammation or separation.
The procedure may include:
- examination of the wound;
- cleaning of the suture area;
- careful removal of the stitches using sterile instruments;
- removal of surgical staples using a dedicated instrument;
- reassessment of the wound edges;
- application of a dressing or wound-closure strips if required.
Do not remove stitches at home. Removing them too early may cause the wound edges to separate. Leaving them in longer than necessary may make removal more difficult and increase the visibility of stitch marks.
Is suture removal painful?
Suture or staple removal usually does not require anaesthesia. The patient may feel brief pulling, pinching or mild discomfort.
Discomfort may be more noticeable if:
- firm scabs have formed around the stitches;
- the stitches are located in a sensitive area;
- a stitch has become partially embedded in the skin;
- the wound is inflamed;
- the stitches have remained in place longer than recommended.
Do not pull off scabs or rub the wound aggressively before your appointment.
When should stitches be removed?
The correct timing depends on the wound location and type, tissue tension, the patient’s age, existing health conditions and the speed of healing.
Approximate time frames may include:
- face and neck: approximately 3–5 days;
- scalp: approximately 7–10 days;
- chest, arms and shoulders: approximately 7–14 days;
- legs, feet and areas over joints: approximately 10–14 days or longer.
These are general estimates only. Some operations use absorbable stitches that do not need to be removed. The final decision should follow the operating surgeon’s instructions and an assessment of the wound.
If you do not know when your stitches should be removed, arrange an examination and bring your medical documents.
Why must the wound be examined before suture removal?
Even if the wound appears healed from the outside, a healthcare professional must assess whether its edges are joined securely enough.
If healing is not yet sufficient, the healthcare professional may:
- leave some stitches in place for longer;
- remove alternate stitches;
- reinforce the wound with closure strips;
- arrange another assessment;
- refer the patient to a surgeon.
This approach reduces the risk of the wound reopening and helps determine a safe plan for continued care.
Signs of a wound infection
Minor tenderness, limited swelling or slight redness immediately around a fresh wound may occur during the first few days. These changes should gradually improve rather than become more pronounced.
Possible signs of a local wound infection include:
- increasing pain;
- throbbing pain;
- redness spreading beyond the wound;
- noticeably warmer skin around the wound;
- increasing swelling;
- yellow, green or cloudy discharge;
- an unpleasant smell;
- separation of the wound edges;
- delayed healing.
If the redness is spreading, its outer border can be marked gently on intact skin to monitor changes. This does not replace an assessment by a healthcare professional.
General signs of infection
Urgent medical assessment is needed if changes around the wound are accompanied by:
- fever and chills;
- sudden or pronounced weakness;
- a rapid heartbeat;
- confusion;
- rapidly spreading redness;
- red lines extending away from the wound;
- significant deterioration in general health.
Call 113 in the event of severe illness, impaired consciousness, pronounced weakness or difficulty breathing.
Care of minor burns
Selected minor and limited burn wounds can be assessed and dressed at the clinic if they are suitable for outpatient care.
Immediately after a burn, cool the affected area under cool running water. Do not apply ice directly to the skin. Do not apply oil, greasy creams or toothpaste, and do not open blisters yourself.
Immediate medical assistance may be required if:
- the burn is extensive or deep;
- it affects the face, hands, feet, genitals or a major joint;
- it was caused by a chemical or electricity;
- there may be an injury to the airways;
- the patient is a young child;
- the patient’s condition is deteriorating.
In these situations, an outpatient dressing change may not be sufficient.
Chronic wounds and ulcers
A chronic wound is one that does not heal as expected. Possible causes include impaired venous or arterial circulation, diabetes, persistent pressure on the tissues, infection and other medical conditions.
Changing the dressing alone may not be sufficient. The underlying cause must also be identified and treated.
The patient may require:
- a surgical consultation;
- a phlebologist or vascular surgeon consultation;
- assessment of arterial and venous circulation;
- review of diabetes treatment;
- pressure relief for the affected area;
- a specialised wound dressing;
- regular monitoring of wound healing.
Compression therapy for a leg ulcer should not be started without professional advice if the condition of the leg arteries has not been assessed.
Cast or plaster splint removal
Republikas laukuma klīnika can remove a plaster cast or plaster splint after an injury, fracture or operation.
Cast removal requires a doctor’s instruction or a medical document stating the required period of immobilisation and the planned date of removal.
If this information is not available, or if significant pain, swelling, deformity or restricted movement remains, an orthopaedic traumatologist consultation and additional examination may be required before the cast is removed.
After cast removal, a healthcare professional may:
- assess the condition of the skin and soft tissues;
- clean or treat the skin or wound;
- apply a dressing;
- remove stitches if the appropriate time has been reached;
- recommend an orthopaedic traumatologist consultation;
- explain further precautions.
Please bring a hospital discharge summary, the traumatologist’s report or another document containing instructions about cast removal.
How should you prepare for a dressing change?
No special preparation is normally required.
Please bring:
- your hospital or clinic discharge summary;
- instructions from the operating surgeon;
- information about the date of the operation or injury;
- information about the stitches that were used;
- a list of your current medicines;
- information about allergies to medicines or dressing materials;
- details of wound-care products already used.
If the dressing has become attached to the wound, do not pull it off forcefully. Tell the healthcare professional when you arrive.
Do not apply cosmetic products, powder, oil or cream to the wound before the procedure unless prescribed by a doctor.
Wound dressing in central Riga
Republikas laukuma klīnika provides wound assessment and care, dressing changes, removal of stitches and surgical staples, and selected cast-removal procedures.
Benefits include:
- a convenient location in central Riga;
- weekday evening appointments;
- appointments on Saturdays;
- sterile instruments and appropriate dressing materials;
- access to a surgical consultation when required;
- an individual plan for further wound care.
Address: Republikas laukums 3–18, Riga
The clinic is located on the ground floor of the Centra nams building. The entrance is on the side facing the Ministry of Agriculture.
To book an appointment, call 28002363.
Please contact reception before arriving to confirm that an appropriate appointment time is available.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a referral for a dressing change?
A referral is generally not required for a private procedure. However, it is advisable to bring your discharge summary or the doctor’s instructions, particularly after an operation.
Can my stitches be removed if the operation was performed at another clinic?
Yes. Bring your discharge summary and information about the recommended date of removal. A healthcare professional will assess the wound before removing the stitches.
Can I remove my stitches myself?
This is not recommended. Before removing the stitches, it is necessary to confirm that the wound edges have healed sufficiently and that there are no signs of complications.
Is a dressing change painful?
This depends on the condition of the wound and the type of dressing. Brief discomfort may occur. The healthcare professional will perform the procedure as gently as possible.
What should I do if the dressing is stuck to the wound?
Do not pull it off forcefully, as this may damage new tissue and cause bleeding. Arrange a professional dressing change.
Can I attend without an appointment?
Immediate assistance cannot be guaranteed. To avoid unnecessary waiting and confirm that an appropriate healthcare professional is available, call 28002363 before arriving.
Can a cast be removed without a doctor’s report?
For safe removal, you should have a document stating how long immobilisation is required. If the document is unavailable or symptoms remain, an orthopaedic traumatologist consultation may be needed first.
When should I go to hospital?
Hospital treatment may be necessary for severe bleeding, a deep or extensive wound, suspected damage to a major blood vessel, nerve or tendon, a severe burn, pronounced infection or significant deterioration in general health.
