Pre-operative Instructions

DO NOT EAT OR DRINK ANYTHING AFTER MIDNIGHT THE NIGHT BEFORE SURGERY

You may brush your teeth, but do not swallow any water.

SURGICAL SOAP

A container of surgical soap will be provided to you at your preop appointment. If you did not receive preoperative soap or are coming in from out of town any antibacterial body soap will be sufficient. The purpose is to decrease the amount of natural bacteria on the skin to reduce the risk of infection.

UPPER EXTREMITY SURGERY (SHOULDER, ELBOW, HAND, ARM)

The night before surgery:

• Use 1/2 of the surgical soap on a washcloth and scrubbed surgical area (front and back) then scrubbed the rest of the extremity including the chest and armpit.
• The morning of surgery use the second half of the soap and repeat the above instructions.
• Do not get soap in your eyes, face, or hair.
• Rinse all surgical soap off.

LOWER EXTREMITY SURGERY (HIP, KNEE, ANKLE, FOOT, LEG)

The night before surgery:

• Use 1/2 of the surgical soap on a washcloth and scrubbed surgical area (front and back) then scrubbed the rest of the extremity up to the groin.
• The morning of surgery use the second 1/2 of the soap and repeat the above instructions.
• Do not get soap in your eyes, face, or hair.
• Rinse all surgical soap off.