Signs and Symptoms of Dehiscence
- Bleeding
- Pain
- Inflammation
- Fever
- Spontaneous opening of the wound
Causes of Dehiscence
- Sub-acute infection resulting from inadequate aseptic technique
- Breakdown of coated sutures in the presence of bacteria
- Inadequate undermining of the wound during surgery
- Excessive tension on the wound edges
- Wounds located in highly mobile or high-tension areas
Risk Factors for Dehiscence
- Obesity
- Smoking
- Previous scarring
- Surgical errors
- Chronic use of corticosteroids
- Increased abdominal pressure
- Use of nicotine in any form
Prevention of Dehiscence
- Adequate tissue undermining to reduce stress on wound edges
- Avoiding heavy lifting
- Speeding healing through adequate nutrition
- Controlling diabetes
- Avoiding certain medications such as corticosteroids
- Use of sterile strips to cover skin sutures
Treatment of Dehiscence
- Allowing granulation
- Re-cutting and suturing the edges
- Providing prophylactic antibiotics
- Exposure to air
- Debridement
- Frequent dressing changes
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.
