Cranial Incision Line Care
Activity | Diet | Bathing | What to expect | When to call the Doctor
Activity
- Your child should sleep without lying on or placing pressure on the incision(s) for 2 weeks after surgery.
- Gentle activities such as walking and quiet play are helpful.
- Practice neck bending and turning exercises with your child 4 times per day.
- Avoid rough-housing and sports until directed.
- Avoid exertion, heat, stress and fatigue.
- Prevent your child from picking, scratching or pulling at the incision line. Place mittens or socks on his / her hands if necessary.
- While the sutures are in, do not use ointments or creams on the incision (unless specifically instructed to do so).
- After the sutures are out, protect the incision from the sun for at least 6 months. Have your child wear a hat, scarf or sun block.
Diet
Give a regular diet for your child's age.
Bathing
If recommended by your child's doctor, follow the guidelines below for cleaning the incision.
- Your child may bathe or shower by the third day after surgery. However, do not soak the incisions in water.
- If the dressing is removed, you should wash incisions daily with baby shampoo or soap and water and pat dry; do not rub. Daily cleaning will allow absorbable stitches to dissolve more quickly.
- If dressings remain in place, your child may bathe or shower. Do not soak dressings by laying in tub water.
What to expect
If the incision line is ...
- covered by steri-strips, they may fall off on their own in about 4-5 days. The incision should be closed by this time.
- closed with absorbable sutures, they will fall out in 10-14 days.
- closed with sutures, dressings or staples, they are to be removed 7-10 days after surgery.
- For headaches, give only acetaminophen (Tylenol") as needed.
Call your child's doctor
If the incision lines separate or drainage occurs.
If there are any signs or symptoms of infection, including:
- Redness
- Swelling
- Drainage
- Warmth along the incision line
- Fever within 7 days after surgery
- Unusual drowsiness
- Weakness of arms or legs
- Seizures
Patient Education Program II 2026
Rev. 3/07