What is Wound Dehiscence?
Wound dehiscence is when a cut from surgery (an incision) opens up and does not heal like it should. This problem usually happens 7–10 days after surgery. You may have bleeding from the cut. You may also have pain or a fever. This condition should be treated early.
Follow these instructions at home:
Medicines
- Take over-the-counter and prescription medicines only as told by your doctor.
- If you were prescribed an antibiotic medicine, take it as told by your doctor. Do notstop taking it even if you start to feel better.
- Use medicines that help to stop itching as told by your doctor. The wound may feel itchy as it heals.
Wound care
- Follow
instructions from your doctor about how to take care of your wound. Make
sure you:
- Wash your hands with soap and water before you change your bandage (dressing) or wash the wound area. If you cannot use soap and water, use hand sanitizer.
- Wash your wound with mild soap and water 2 times a day, or as told. Rinse off the soap. Pat the area dry with a clean towel. Do notrub the wound.
- Change bandages as told by your doctor.
- Do notpick or scratch at the wound.
Check your wound area every day for signs of infection. Check for:
- More redness, swelling, or pain.
- More fluid or blood.
- Warmth.
- Pus or a bad smell.
Activity
- Avoid exercises that make you sweat or could stretch your wound.
- Do notlift anything that is heavier than 10 lb (4.5 kg) until the wound is healed or until your doctor says that it is safe.
General instructions
- Do nottake baths, swim, or use a hot tub until your doctor approves. You may take showers.
- Keep all follow-up visits as told by your doctor. This is important.
Contact a doctor if:
- Your wound does not seem to be healing right.
- You have a fever.
Get help right away if:
- You have more redness, swelling, or pain around your wound.
- You have more fluid coming from your wound.
- Your wound feels warm to the touch.
- You have pus or a bad smell coming from your wound.
- More of the wound breaks open.
- You have red streaks spreading from your wound.
- You have a lot of bleeding from your wound.
Summary
- Wound dehiscence is when a cut from surgery (an incision) opens up and does not heal like it should.
- Follow instructions from your doctor about how to take care of your wound.
- Check your wound area every day for signs of infection. These signs can be redness, swelling, pain, fluid, blood, warmth, pus, or a bad smell.
- If you were prescribed an antibiotic medicine, take it as told by your doctor. Do not stop taking it even if you start to feel better.
- Contact a doctor if your wound does not seem to be healing right.
