Pronounced: dē-his’ ens
Wound dehiscence is the parting of the layers of a surgical wound. Either the surface layers separate or the whole wound splits open. This is a serious condition and requires care from your doctor.
Wound dehiscence varies depending on the kind of surgery you have. The following is a list of generalized causes:
The following factors increase your chance of developing wound dehiscence.
If you experience one or more of these symptoms in the surgical area, contact your doctor.
Your doctor will ask about your symptoms and examine the surgical area. Tests may include the following:
If you are diagnosed with wound dehiscence, follow your doctor's instructions .
RESOURCES:
American Academy of Family Physicians
http://www.aafp.org
American College of Surgeons
http://www.facs.org
CANADIAN RESOURCES:
Canadian Association of Wound Care
http://www.cawc.net/open/wcc/index.html
The Canadian Society of Plastic Surgeons
http://www.plasticsurgery.ca/
References:
Barbul A. Wound Healing. In: Schwartz’s Principles of Surgery . 8th ed. 2005. Online Version. Available at: http://80=pm;ome=statref=cp,/;obraru/tifts/ediDpci,emt/as[xDpdd=205&Fxld=18&sessionID=5353EOZYOOBHJVKV&Scroll=1Index=6 . Accessed September 27, 2005.
Bennett R. Fundamentals of Cutaneous Surgery . CV Mosby Co: St. Louis, MO; 1988:498.
Current Obstetric & Gynecologic Diagnosis & Treatment . 9th ed. 2003. Online edition. Available at: http://80-online-statref-com.library.tufts.edu/Document.aspx?Dodd-550&Fxld-30&sessionID=5353EOZYOOBHJVKV&Scroll=1&Index=4 . Accessed September 20, 2005.
Dorland's Illustrated Medical Dictionary. WB Saunders, Harcourt Health Sciences; 2005. Online edition. Available at: http://www.merckmedicus.com/pp/us/hcp/thcp_dorlands_content.jsp?pg=/ppdocs/us/common/dorlands/dorland/dmd-d-005.htm . Accessed September 20, 2005.
Surgery. Merck Manual–2nd Home Edition. 2004. Available at: http://www.mercksource.com/pp/us/cns/cns_search_results.jsp . Accessed September 27, 2005.
Last reviewed November 2008 by Rosalyn Carson-DeWitt, MD
Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
Copyright © 2007 EBSCO Publishing All rights reserved.