Wound Care

Gale Encyclopedia of Surgery, (2004) by René A. Jackson, Crystal H. Kaczkowski

To ensure the safety and quality of products such as cellular wound dressings, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has initiated a new regulatory system.

Risks

Hematoma: dressings should be inspected for hemorrhage at intervals during the first 24 hours after surgery. A large amount of bleeding is to be reported to a health care professional immediately. Concealed bleeding sometimes occurs in the wound, beneath the skin. If the clot formed is small, it will be absorbed by the body, but if large, the wound bulges and the clot must be removed for healing to continue. Dehiscence (disruption of the surgical wound) and evisceration (protrusion of wound contents): This condition results from sutures giving way, infection, distention, or cough. Dehiscence results in pain; the surgeon is called immediately. Prophylactically, an abdominal binder may be utilized. Keloid: refers to excessive growth of scar tissue. Careful wound closure, hemostasis, and pressure support are used to ward off this complication.

Normal results

The goals of wound care include reducing risks that inhibit wound healing, enhancing the healing process, and lowering the incidence of wound infections.