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{{Short description|Rupture of a wound along a surgical incision}}
[[File:Wound Dehiscence post inguinal hernia repair 2014-05-27 00-46.jpg|thumbnail|Wound dehiscence following an [[inguinal hernia]] repair.]]
[[File:Wound Dehiscence post inguinal hernia repair 2014-05-27 00-46.jpg|thumbnail|Wound dehiscence following an [[inguinal hernia]] repair.]]


'''Wound dehiscence''' is a [[complication (medicine)|surgical complication]] in which a [[wound]] ruptures along a [[surgical incision]]. Risk factors include age, [[collagen disorder]] such as [[Ehlers–Danlos syndrome]], [[diabetes]], [[obesity]], poor knotting or grabbing of [[Surgical_suture|stitches]], and [[Trauma (medicine)|trauma]] to the wound after surgery.<ref name = EBSCO>{{cite web | url = http://www.upmc.com/healthatoz/pages/healthlibrary.aspx?chunkiid=99918 | title = Wound Dehiscence (Surgical Wound Dehiscence; Operative Wound Dehiscence) | publisher = [[EBSCO Industries]] | date = 2010-09-01 | accessdate = 2011-06-24 }}</ref>
'''Wound dehiscence''' is a [[complication (medicine)|surgical complication]] in which a [[wound]] ruptures along a [[surgical incision]]. Risk factors include age, [[collagen disorder]] such as [[Ehlers–Danlos syndrome]], [[diabetes]], [[obesity]], poor knotting or grabbing of [[Surgical suture|stitches]], and [[Trauma (medicine)|trauma]] to the wound after surgery.<ref name = EBSCO>{{cite web | url = http://www.upmc.com/healthatoz/pages/healthlibrary.aspx?chunkiid=99918 | title = Wound Dehiscence (Surgical Wound Dehiscence; Operative Wound Dehiscence) | publisher = [[EBSCO Industries]] | date = 2010-09-01 | accessdate = 2011-06-24 }}</ref>


==Symptoms==
==Signs==
Signs of dehiscence can include [[bleeding]], [[pain]], [[inflammation]], [[fever]], or the wound opening spontaneously.<ref name = EBSCO/> An internal surgical wound dehiscence can occur internally, as a consequence of hysterectomy, at the site of the [[vaginal cuff]].<ref name = "Hoffman">{{Cite book |title=Williams gynecology |date=2012 |publisher=McGraw-Hill Medical |vauthors=Hoffman B |isbn=9780071716727 |edition=2nd |location=New York |pages=1054 and 1050 |oclc=779244257}}</ref><ref name="Cronin">{{Cite journal |vauthors=Cronin B, Sung V, Matteson K |date=April 2012 |title=Vaginal cuff dehiscence: Risk factors and management |journal=American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology |volume=206 |issue=4 |pages=284–288 |doi=10.1016/j.ajog.2011.08.026 |issn=0002-9378 |pmc=3319233 |pmid=21974989}}</ref>
Symptoms of dehiscence can include [[bleeding]], [[pain]], [[inflammation]], [[fever]], or the wound opening spontaneously.<ref name = EBSCO/>


==Cause==
==Cause==
A primary cause of wound dehiscence is sub-acute [[infection]], resulting from inadequate or imperfect [[asepsis|aseptic technique]]. Coated [[surgical suture|suture]], such as [[Vicryl]], generally breaks down at a rate predicted to correspond with [[wound healing|tissue healing]], but is hastened in the presence of [[bacteria]]. In the absence of other known metabolic factors which inhibit healing and may have contributed to suture dehiscence, sub-acute infection should be suspected and the protocol of obtaining wound cultures followed by treatment with the appropriate [[antibiotics]] should be undertaken. Dehiscence can also be caused by inadequate undermining (cutting the skin away from the underlying tissues) of the wound during surgery, excessive tension on the wound edges caused by lifting or straining, or the wound being located on a highly mobile or high tension area such as the back, shoulders or legs.<ref name = Textbook>{{cite book | last = Rusciani | first = L |author2=Robins P | year = 2008 | publisher = PICCIN | title = Textbook of dermatologic surgery | isbn= 88-299-1898-9 | pages = [http://books.google.ca/books?id=js2L1nPMJMwC&pg=PA183#v=onepage&q&f=false 183] }}</ref> Individuals with [[Ehlers–Danlos syndrome]] also commonly experience wound dehiscence.<ref>{{cite book | last =Cassidy | first = SB |author2=Allanson JE | title = Management of genetic syndromes | pages = 220 | publisher = Wiley-Liss | year = 2005| isbn = 0-471-30870-6 }}</ref> Risk factors can include any of the above as well as obesity, smoking, previous scarring, surgical error, [[cancer]], chronic use of [[corticosteroid]]s and increased abdominal pressure.<ref name = EBSCO/>
A primary cause of wound dehiscence is sub-acute [[infection]], resulting from inadequate or imperfect [[asepsis|aseptic technique]]. Coated [[surgical suture|suture]], such as [[Vicryl]], generally breaks down at a rate predicted to correspond with [[wound healing|tissue healing]], but is hastened in the presence of [[bacteria]]. In the absence of other known metabolic factors which inhibit healing and may have contributed to suture dehiscence, subacute infection should be suspected, and the protocol for obtaining wound cultures followed. Dehiscence can also be caused by inadequate undermining (cutting the skin away from the underlying tissues) of the wound during surgery, excessive tension on the wound edges caused by the act of lifting or straining, or the wound being located on a highly mobile or high-tension area such as the back, shoulders or legs.<ref name = Textbook>{{cite book | vauthors= Rusciani L, Robins P | year = 2008 | publisher = PICCIN | title = Textbook of dermatologic surgery | isbn= 978-88-299-1898-0 | page = [https://books.google.com/books?id=js2L1nPMJMwC&pg=PA183 183] }}</ref>
Individuals with [[Ehlers–Danlos syndrome]] also commonly experience wound dehiscence.<ref>{{cite book | vauthors=Cassidy SB, Allanson JE | title = Management of genetic syndromes | pages = 220 | publisher = Wiley-Liss | year = 2005| isbn = 0-471-30870-6 }}</ref> Risk factors for dehiscence can include any of the above, as well as obesity, smoking, previous scarring, surgical error, [[cancer]], chronic use of [[corticosteroid]]s and increased abdominal pressure. A very common cause is also use of [[nicotine]] in any form.<ref name = EBSCO/>


==Prevention==
==Prevention==
Dehiscence can be prevented through adequate undermining to reduce stress on the wound edges, avoiding heavy lifting and [[hematoma]]s, and speeding healing through adequate nutrition, controlling diabetes, and avoiding certain medications such as [[prednisone]]. Sterile strips may also be used to cover the sutures for up to a week.<ref name = Textbook/> Antibiotics and cleaning the wound may also help.<ref name = EBSCO/>
Dehiscence can be prevented through adequate tissue undermining to reduce stress on the wound edges, avoiding heavy lifting and speeding healing through adequate nutrition, controlling diabetes, and avoiding certain medications such as [[corticosteroids]]. Sterile strips may also be used to cover skin sutures for up to a week.<ref name = Textbook/>
== Treatment ==


Once wound dehiscence occurs, it can be treated by allowing [[Granulation tissue|granulation]], re-cutting and suturing the edges, and providing [[Preventive medicine#Prophylaxis|prophylactic]] [[Antibacterial|antibiotics]].<ref name = Textbook/> Exposure to the air, [[debridement]], and, if indicated, frequent [[dressing (medical)|dressing]] changes also help.<ref name = EBSCO/>
==Treatment==
Once wound dehiscence occurs, it can be treated by allowing [[Granulation tissue|granulation]], re-cutting and suturing the edges and providing [[Preventive medicine#Prophylaxis|prophylactic]] [[Antibacterial|antibiotics]].<ref name = Textbook/> Exposure to the air, [[debridement]] and if indicated, frequent [[dressing (medical)|dressing]] changes also help.<ref name = EBSCO/>


== Notes ==
== Notes ==
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[[Category:Surgery]]
[[Category:Surgery]]
[[Category:Complications of surgical and medical care]]

Latest revision as of 15:35, 7 September 2023

Wound dehiscence following an inguinal hernia repair.

Wound dehiscence is a surgical complication in which a wound ruptures along a surgical incision. Risk factors include age, collagen disorder such as Ehlers–Danlos syndrome, diabetes, obesity, poor knotting or grabbing of stitches, and trauma to the wound after surgery.[1]

Signs

[edit]

Signs of dehiscence can include bleeding, pain, inflammation, fever, or the wound opening spontaneously.[1] An internal surgical wound dehiscence can occur internally, as a consequence of hysterectomy, at the site of the vaginal cuff.[2][3]

Cause

[edit]

A primary cause of wound dehiscence is sub-acute infection, resulting from inadequate or imperfect aseptic technique. Coated suture, such as Vicryl, generally breaks down at a rate predicted to correspond with tissue healing, but is hastened in the presence of bacteria. In the absence of other known metabolic factors which inhibit healing and may have contributed to suture dehiscence, subacute infection should be suspected, and the protocol for obtaining wound cultures followed. Dehiscence can also be caused by inadequate undermining (cutting the skin away from the underlying tissues) of the wound during surgery, excessive tension on the wound edges caused by the act of lifting or straining, or the wound being located on a highly mobile or high-tension area such as the back, shoulders or legs.[4]

Individuals with Ehlers–Danlos syndrome also commonly experience wound dehiscence.[5] Risk factors for dehiscence can include any of the above, as well as obesity, smoking, previous scarring, surgical error, cancer, chronic use of corticosteroids and increased abdominal pressure. A very common cause is also use of nicotine in any form.[1]

Prevention

[edit]

Dehiscence can be prevented through adequate tissue undermining to reduce stress on the wound edges, avoiding heavy lifting and speeding healing through adequate nutrition, controlling diabetes, and avoiding certain medications such as corticosteroids. Sterile strips may also be used to cover skin sutures for up to a week.[4]

Treatment

[edit]

Once wound dehiscence occurs, it can be treated by allowing granulation, re-cutting and suturing the edges, and providing prophylactic antibiotics.[4] Exposure to the air, debridement, and, if indicated, frequent dressing changes also help.[1]

Notes

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c d "Wound Dehiscence (Surgical Wound Dehiscence; Operative Wound Dehiscence)". EBSCO Industries. 2010-09-01. Retrieved 2011-06-24.
  2. ^ Hoffman B (2012). Williams gynecology (2nd ed.). New York: McGraw-Hill Medical. pp. 1054 and 1050. ISBN 9780071716727. OCLC 779244257.
  3. ^ Cronin B, Sung V, Matteson K (April 2012). "Vaginal cuff dehiscence: Risk factors and management". American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology. 206 (4): 284–288. doi:10.1016/j.ajog.2011.08.026. ISSN 0002-9378. PMC 3319233. PMID 21974989.
  4. ^ a b c Rusciani L, Robins P (2008). Textbook of dermatologic surgery. PICCIN. p. 183. ISBN 978-88-299-1898-0.
  5. ^ Cassidy SB, Allanson JE (2005). Management of genetic syndromes. Wiley-Liss. p. 220. ISBN 0-471-30870-6.