The post-surgery complication characterized by partial or complete opening of a surgical wound is termed wound dehiscence. The following HealthHearty article will help you to understand the associated risk factors, causes and treatment options.
The premature ‘bursting’ open of a wound, along the surgical suture is called wound dehiscence. The opening of the wound occurs around 7-10 days after a surgery. This condition carries a very high risk of infection, and may even prove to be fatal, if left untreated.
Causes
The possible causes behind poor wound healing include:
- Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome: This is a genetic disorder where the body is unable to make collagen, the protein essential for scar formation.
- Scurvy: The deficiency of vitamin C leads to development of scurvy. Vitamin C or ascorbic acid is very important to build cross-links between the collagen fibers. Due to a deficiency of this vitamin, the collagen cross-links become weak, leading to the formation of a weak scar tissue.
- Diabetes: In diabetic individuals, a poor blood supply, and inflammation in the wound, leads to inefficient wound healing.
- Other causes may include pulmonary diseases, radiation therapy, cardiovascular diseases, anemia, vomiting, cancer, coughing, diarrhea, jaundice, and use of antineoplastic agents.
Risk Factors
The risk factors include:
- Obesity
- High blood pressure
- Advanced age
- Poor nutrition
- Smoking
- Alcoholism
- Trauma after surgery
- Poor knotting or grabbing of stitches
- Gender (Females are more prone to developing this condition)
Treatment
The treatment includes packing the wound with excessive gauze. This package is then secured with a tape. This helps to provide support to the muscles in the affected area. Doctors may advise medication for fast healing, and an antibiotic therapy to keep infections at bay. The wound dressing is frequently changed to prevent infections. The wound may also be exposed to air to help in accelerating the healing process, and preventing infection.
In severe cases, surgical intervention becomes necessary, and the contaminated, dead tissue is removed. Surgery may also be carried out for resuturing, and placing a temporary or permanent piece of mesh to bridge the gap between the wound.
When you experience premature bursting of a wound, special care needs to be taken to avoid infections and further complications. You will need to take oral antibiotics for a stipulated time, and perform frequent dressing changes. Initially, the doctor needs to take care of the dressings, and gradually a nurse or family member can dress the wound. It is always better to consult your doctor regarding any queries related to your condition, to ensure that the correct measures are taken, and to avoid complications.
Disclaimer: This HealthHearty article is for informative purposes only, and should not be used as a substitute for professional medical advice.