Definition

Wound dehiscence is the parting of the layers of a surgical wound. Either the surface layers separate or
the whole wound splits open. This is a serious condition and requires care from your doctor.
*
Causes
Wound dehiscence varies depending on the kind of surgery you have. The following is a list of
generalized causes:
Infection at the wound
ressure on sutures
!utures too tight
In"ury to the wound area
Weak tissue or muscle at the wound area
Incorrect suture technique used to close operative area
oor closure technique at the time of surgery
#se of high$dose or long$term corticosteroids
!evere vitamin % deficiency & scurvy '
*
Risk Factors
The following factors increase your chance of developing wound dehiscence.
(verweight
Increasing age
oor nutrition
)ia*etes
!moking
+alignant growth
resence of prior scar or radiation at the incision site
,on$compliance with post$operative instructions &such as early e-cessive e-ercise or lifting heavy
o*"ects'
!urgical error
Increased pressure within the a*domen due to: fluid accumulation &ascites'. inflamed *owel.
severe coughing/ straining/ or vomiting
0ong$term use of corticosteroid medications
(ther medical conditions/ such as dia*etes / kidney disease / cancer / immune
pro*lems/ chemotherapy / or radiation therapy
*
Symptoms
If you e-perience one or more of these symptoms in the surgical area/ contact your doctor.
1leeding
ain
!welling
2edness
3ever
1roken sutures
(pen wound
*
Diagnosis
4our doctor will ask a*out your symptoms and e-amine the surgical area. Tests may include the
following:
0a*oratory tests/ such as:
Wound and tissue cultures to determine if there is an infection
1lood tests to determine if there is an infection
Imaging studies/ such as:
5$ray 6to evaluate the e-tent of wound separation
#ltrasound 6to evaluate for pus and pockets of fluid
%T scan 6to evaluate for pus and pockets of fluid
*
Treatment
)rug therapy
7nti*iotic therapy
+edical treatment
When appropriate/ frequent changes in wound dressing to prevent infection
When appropriate/ wound e-posure to air to accelerate healing and prevent infection/
and allow growth of new tissue from *elow
!urgical intervention
!urgical removal of contaminated/ dead tissue
2esuturing
lacement of a temporary or permanent piece of mesh to *ridge the gap in the wound
If you are diagnosed with wound dehiscence/ follow your doctor8s instructions .
*
Prevention
When appropriate/ have anti*iotic therapy prior to surgery.
When appropriate/ have anti*iotic therapy after surgery.
When using wound dressing/ maintain light pressure on wound.
9eep wound area clean.
%omply with post$operative instructions.
http://www.med.nyu.edu/content?ChunkIID=99918
Last reviewed September 2013 by Marcin Chwistek, MD
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