Wound Dehiscence: Could A Surgical Wound Reopen

Surgery is a scary concept for everyone facing the knife. Many of us who have undergone various surgeries have run the gamut of questions regarding mortality rates, scarring, recovery time and after effects, but have you ever asked about dehiscence? Until a recent abdominal surgery, I had never heard of the term. Now, thanks to my frightful experience, I am an expert on the causes and treatments of dehiscence. Dehiscence is a reality of surgery that affects approximately 112 out of 1000 surgery patients and can happen to you.

Dehiscence is a complication of surgery. The definition of dehiscence is the unintentional reopening of a wound. This reopening usually occurs between 7 and 10 days post surgery and carries a very high risk of infection and even mortality if left untreated.

The causes of dehiscence are dependant upon the type of surgery and surgical opening involved in your treatment. In my case, for instance, my 10 inch abdominal hysterectomy wound reopened due to drainage from a removed cyst that the surgeon thought was only scar tissue. Other cases of dehiscence are associated with diabetes, increased age, obesity, wound infection, poor wound closing and injury to the wound after closure.

Dehiscence usually does not happen without some sort of signs and symptoms presented before the actual wound breakage. The signs and symptoms can include bruising of the wound cite, cite pain, diarrhea, fever, skin inflammation, vomiting, wound discharge and skin breakdown around the wound area. After surgery, some of these symptoms may be associated with the normal recovery process. Keeping close attention to the wound area is essential as is alerting your surgeon or physician if you feel the wound is not healing properly.

After a wound has broken open or dehiscence has occurred, you will need to take special care of the area and will be required to take oral antibiotics for at least 10 days. The care of a dehiscence wound includes frequent wet dressing changes, irrigation of the area and a wet packing of sterile gauze. The wound will need to be initially cleaned by a physician; otherwise, post dehiscence care can be performed by either an in home nurse or a friend or family member. For in depth care instructions you can visit "How to Care For an Open Wound."

Wound dehiscence is a reality most patients know little about. Being prepared for all possible complications of your surgical process will help you remain informed about the healing process and ready for all problems that may occur.