Wound dehiscence is an opening of incision edges and can be ether full or partial. It can become a very serious issue if not treated. Contact your medical doctor, surgeon or wound care specialist for help in the healing. Your medical doctor and / or surgeon may refer you to a wound care specialist to help with the management and healing. There are many reasons why dehiscence occurs and it is usually no fault of your surgeons or you.
General reasons include:
- Infection at or around incision site
- Weight / pressure at or around incision
- Taut sutures
- New injury at or around incision site
- Fragile skin and / or muscle near or at incision
- Improper suturing
- High or long-term use of corticosteroids
Population at risk include:
- Obesity or being over weight
- Elderly
- Poor nutrition and eating habits
- Diabetes Mellitus type I and II
- Smoking
- Cancer in or around site
- Previous scars or radiation in or around site
- Lifting or exercising to early after surgery
- Increased pressure at or around suture site from fluid collection, tissue inflammation, excessive coughing or vomiting
- Anyone taking high or long-term corticosteroids
- Other medical conditions that could compromise healing
Signs and symptoms include:
- Bleeding in or around site
- Pain
- Swelling in or around site
- Redness in or around site
- Temperature
- Ruptured sutures
- Open incision site
Your medical doctor, surgeon or wound care specialist will need to diagnose the wound and may include:
- Infection using fluid samples from the wound
- Blood test
- X-ray
- Ultrasound
- CT scan
Possible treatment might include:
- Oral antibiotics
- Wound care dressing changes
- Referral for wound care specialist
- Wound vac
- Return to surgery
Dehiscence prevention might include:
- Antibiotics before or after surgery
- Light pressure around incision
- Keep incision clean and dry
References
Duffek, C. (2019, September). Wound Dehiscence. http://web.b.ebscohost.com/rrc/delivery?vid=14&sid=6d25b6f2-e306-4d9e-a56f-0bb1337653e6%40sessionmgr101.