Wound dehiscence

Wound dehiscence is the premature "bursting" open of a wound along surgical suture. It is a surgical complication that results from poor wound healing. Risk factors are age, diabetes, obesity, poor knotting or grabbing of stitches, and trauma to the wound after surgery. Sometimes a pink (serosanguinous) fluid may leak out.

A possible cause of wound dehiscence includes inadequate scar formation, which in turn can be caused by any of the following:

• Ehlers-Danlos syndrome. People with this genetic disorder are unable to make normal collagen, which is essential in scar formation.
• Scurvy. Scurvy is a disease caused by Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) deficiency. Vitamin C is required to create strong cross links between collagen fibers. An inability to make these cross links leads to weak scar tissue.
• Poor blood supply to the wound. Inflammation, and subsequent delivery of nutrients is vital for wound healing. Some individuals, such as diabetics, have poor blood supply in certain parts of their body.
• The use of medications. Medications such as anti-inflammatory agents such as steroids inhibit proper wound healing.
• Physical stress. Often, wound dehiscence occurs from physical stress on the wound. Physical stress can be caused by the Valsalva maneuver or by other physical forces, such as by flexure of a nearby joint.
• Bacterial weakening of the tissue.

Furthermore, the size, location, and type of the wound impacts its probability of rupture.