Nonhealing Surgical Wounds

If you develop nonhealing surgical wounds after an operative procedure, don’t wait for treatment. Prompt intervention significantly reduces the risk of infection, gangrene (tissue death), and other complications. At Complete Wound Care in Wallingford and Milford, Connecticut, complex wound care specialists Adrian Wyllie, MD, MBA, CWSP, FAPWH, and Vadim Kurbatov, MD, PhD, have years of experience treating nonhealing surgical wounds. Call the nearest Complete Wound Care office today, or book your appointment online.

What are nonhealing surgical wounds?

Nonhealing surgical wounds form when surgical incisions fail to close properly after an operation. This doesn’t happen often, but when it does, the risk of infection significantly increases. 

You can do a lot to prevent these types of wounds. After surgery, follow your provider’s instructions carefully. Keep your wounds clean and dry, change your dressings regularly, and take any medication as prescribed.

Who is at risk of experiencing nonhealing surgical wounds?

Nonhealing surgical wounds affect people from all backgrounds. If you’ve developed one, it doesn’t mean you’ve done anything wrong. 

Still, certain factors can increase your risk. For example, if you smoke, eat a poor diet, or have an underlying medical condition that affects blood flow, it can enhance your likelihood of surgical complications.

Talk to your surgeon if you have any of these risk factors. They can provide personalized recommendations to ensure your recovery goes smoothly.

What are the symptoms of nonhealing surgical wounds?

Nonhealing surgical wounds form on or around surgical incision sites. Telltale signs include:

• Redness at the incision site
• Dry and flaky skin
• Pain and inflammation
• Fever
• Skin that’s warm to the touch

If the wound becomes infected, you might develop a fever or notice it oozes blood or pus.

How are nonhealing surgical wounds diagnosed?

Your Complete Wound Care provider reviews your surgical history and asks about your procedure. Then, they complete an exam, checking your incision sites for signs of infection. 

Most nonhealing surgical wounds are diagnosed visually. However, if your provider needs additional information, they might order diagnostic imaging or blood tests.

How are nonhealing surgical wounds treated?

The Complete Wound Care team treats nonhealing surgical wounds using a holistic and patient-centered approach. They could suggest:

• Wound debridement (removal of dead and diseased tissue)
• UltraMIST® Therapy
• Cellular and/or tissue-based products (CTPs)
• Compression therapy
• Offloading therapy
• Advanced wound dressings
• Negative wound pressure therapy (NWPT)
• Prescription antibiotics
• Pain management

Most people benefit from several treatments. Your provider monitors your recovery at regular checkups and adjusts your care plan as needed to ensure a positive outcome. The goal is to speed up healing and prevent complications like infection and gangrene. 

Call the nearest Complete Wound Care office today to schedule treatment for nonhealing surgical wounds, or book your appointment online.