When you have wound complications like slow or non-healing wounds, visiting a professional medical practitioner for wound care is advisable. Suppose you reside in Georgia, the Middle Georgia Vascular Surgery Center & Vein Solutions is here to offer patients personalized wound treatment plans. With many years of experience, the medical practitioner, Allison Burkett, MD, FACS is well-versed in wound care procedures. For a consultation or wound care in Warner Robins, you could book an appointment on our online platform or call our offices. 

Even though medical technology keeps benefiting patients with smaller incisions, they are at risk of wound dehiscence. It occurs when surgical incisions reopen either externally or internally. While dehiscence could occur after having any surgery, it often happens with cardiac-related or abdominal procedures. Even though typical dehiscence occurs about three to ten days after surgery, outlier incidents happen after more extended periods. 

Wound Dehiscence Symptoms

You can detect dehiscence by the instant pulling pain. A clean and healing wound has minimal space at the wound’s edges and usually is straight. Splitting surgical glue, staples, stitches, and visible holes in your stitching are signs of dehiscence. 

Other symptoms when experiencing dehiscence might include:

  • Fever- Fever might be an internal response to an infection. High temperatures are essential in killing bacteria and viruses. It also heightens your immune response but could also damage internal organs without medical intervention. 
  • Redness- It might originate in several instances, often pointing to dehiscence. 
  • Swelling- This could state internal wound dehiscence.
  • Bleeding- This is a clear indicator of damage to your wound, and urgent doctor’s consultation is vital. 

Causes of Dehiscence

While reopening might occur because of various reasons, there are several postoperative and preoperative risk factors, including obesity, smoking, malnutrition, and respiratory disorders. 

Other causes may include cancer, gender, steroid use, age, wound infection, strain from activities, wound re-exploration, and surgical inexperience. 

Dehiscence could become life-threatening in case of evisceration. The severe condition terms when internal organs pass through a dehisced incision. 

 Prevention Methods

After an operation, following surgical recovery practices is effective in minimizing dehiscence. Our doctors also give several instructions, including:

  • Avoiding heavy lifting since it might increase wound pressure. 
  • Be proactive in your first weeks in wound recovery. While doctors recommend walking to avoid pneumonia and blood clots, they warn against pushing your body’s limit.
  • Within the two and four-week period, start reintroducing your body to physical activity. But, if you feel any pressure, experts’ advice including rest days. 
  • After one month, you can push your body further into rigorous activities but stop when you feel discomfort. 

Treatment Technique

According to medical surveys, an abdominal incision requires between one and two months to heal. If you experience any discomfort around your incision within this timeframe, contact your surgeon or doctor. 

You might think there are magic pills or secrets to healing dehiscence, but your body only needs to stop lifting or demanding activities and bed rest. 

Final Thoughts

Although wound reopening might start as a broken suture or small opening, it could be severe cases like evisceration or infection. In case you notice evisceration, seek immediate attention. Our Warner Robins offices have experts waiting to offer their wound care expertise when contacted.