Surgical suture dehiscence is a serious complication in which the edges of the wound, which are connected by a suture, eventually open and move away, increasing the risk of infection and making healing difficult.
Although relatively rare, the risk of dehiscence is higher during the first 2 weeks and after abdominal surgery, as the healing process is still in its infancy.
- As this is a serious complication.
- At any time when the surgical wound is suspected to be open.
- It is very important to go to the hospital immediately to be evaluated by a doctor or nurse.
- Initiating treatment if necessary.
The most obvious sign of dehiscence is the partial or total opening of the surgical wound, however, when the wound is in a place of difficult observation, other signs that should be observed, and which should always be evaluated by a health care professional, include:
In cases where the wound cannot be seen, you can ask someone else to look at the place or use a mirror, for example.
See the main care you should take after surgery to avoid complications.
The main cause of wound dehiscence is increased pressure at the surgical wound site, which can occur when exaggerated physical exertion is performed in the first few weeks or when coughing frequently or even sneezing, and the site is not adequately protected.
In addition, overweight people also have an increased risk of dehiscence, especially after abdominal surgery, as excess weight and fat prevent the edges of the wound from sticking.
Being a smoker, having kidney disease, diabetes, or even a disease that causes immunosuppression are other factors that can still increase your risk of dehiscence, as these are conditions that make healing difficult.
Treatment of dehiscence should always be initiated in the hospital by a doctor or nurse, who must evaluate the wound and decide the best form of treatment.
In most cases treatment is done with antibiotics to eliminate a possible infection of the wound and the use of pain relievers, in addition the dressing should be performed by a nurse, as it is important to adapt the type of equipment used., as well as maintaining an aseptic technique.
Only in the most severe cases may surgery be needed to clean and close the wound.
When the treatment of dehiscence does not start early, there is a high risk of evisceration, that is, when the organs under the skin leave the wound, this is an emergency that needs to be treated immediately in the hospital, as there is a very higher risk of widespread infection and even organic insufficiency.
In addition, after dehiscence, it is quite possible that the scar becomes uglier and more visible, as the healing process will take longer and will occupy a larger area of the skin.
Although wound dehiscence is a rare complication that can occur in almost all surgeries, especially those performed on the abdomen, such as C-section.
However, some precautions reduce this risk, such as
In addition, it is advisable to perform proper wound treatment with a nurse in a health center, for example, as this allows a periodic assessment of the site as well as the use of the most suitable materials.