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Suggest Treatment For Partial Wound Dehiscence After Breast Reduction
Question: Hello,
I am one month post op from a breast reduction, there is a small opening that has occurred along one of the scars. There appears to be a white colored material in the middle of the wound. It almost looks like fabric or tissue but it is not. There is nothing leaking from the white part. What is it? Do I need to have that cleaned out or should I remove it? Should I be concerned about this? I am attaching a picture of the wound.
I am one month post op from a breast reduction, there is a small opening that has occurred along one of the scars. There appears to be a white colored material in the middle of the wound. It almost looks like fabric or tissue but it is not. There is nothing leaking from the white part. What is it? Do I need to have that cleaned out or should I remove it? Should I be concerned about this? I am attaching a picture of the wound.
Brief Answer:
Wound dehiscence
Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome to healthcarmagic
I am Dr. Kakkar. I have gone through your query and I have looked at the picture.
I could make out that there is a partial wound dehiscence (rupture along suture line) and the floor of the gaping wound seems infected (covered with yellowish necrotic slough).
The best way to approach is to start on an empirical oral antibiotic for a week OR 10 days (My choice of oral antibiotic would have been Amoxycillin 500mg in combination with clavulanic acid 125 mg, thrice daily, for a week OR Cephalexin 500mgg thrice daily OR Cefadroxil 500mg twice daily, for a week).
This would take care of the infection.
The wound should be left open.
Strict daily cleaning of the wound with betadine solution followed by application of topical 2% mupirocin ointment, twice daily for a week or 10 days will allow it to heal by granulation/secondary intention.
You can visit your local care practitioner for assistance and cleaning of the wound. Thereafter, someone may do it for you at home, daily.
regards
Wound dehiscence
Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome to healthcarmagic
I am Dr. Kakkar. I have gone through your query and I have looked at the picture.
I could make out that there is a partial wound dehiscence (rupture along suture line) and the floor of the gaping wound seems infected (covered with yellowish necrotic slough).
The best way to approach is to start on an empirical oral antibiotic for a week OR 10 days (My choice of oral antibiotic would have been Amoxycillin 500mg in combination with clavulanic acid 125 mg, thrice daily, for a week OR Cephalexin 500mgg thrice daily OR Cefadroxil 500mg twice daily, for a week).
This would take care of the infection.
The wound should be left open.
Strict daily cleaning of the wound with betadine solution followed by application of topical 2% mupirocin ointment, twice daily for a week or 10 days will allow it to heal by granulation/secondary intention.
You can visit your local care practitioner for assistance and cleaning of the wound. Thereafter, someone may do it for you at home, daily.
regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Hello,
Thank you for the information, I have since contacted my surgeon who has prescribed me with an oral antibiotic. In terms of cleaning the wound how often should I change the gauze covering? Should I avoid showering and getting it wet?Also I was told to put polysporin on the wound once a day do you agree with that? I read online that the white stuff (the necrotic part) needs to be cleaned out. Should I pick it out of the area with something sterile or the antibiotics will take care of that?
Thank you
Thank you for the information, I have since contacted my surgeon who has prescribed me with an oral antibiotic. In terms of cleaning the wound how often should I change the gauze covering? Should I avoid showering and getting it wet?Also I was told to put polysporin on the wound once a day do you agree with that? I read online that the white stuff (the necrotic part) needs to be cleaned out. Should I pick it out of the area with something sterile or the antibiotics will take care of that?
Thank you
Brief Answer:
Infected stitch site
Detailed Answer:
Hi.
First wash your hands thoroughly, then take a sterile gauze and soak the gauze with Betadine solution, clean the area with that gauze, very gently removing the secretions/necrotic slough as much as you can. Next take another sterile gauze, soak it well with betadine solution and smear that Betadine soaked gauze through the wound gently.
After cleaning you can apply polysporin, twice daily for a week or so. Repeat these steps everyday for a week
Oral antibiotics are a must. In addition to that, cleaning the wound locally of all the infected secretions would hasten the healing process
It would be better if you can once get it cleaned with a primary care practitioner and learn how to do it, thereafter you can do it on your own at home.
Take care
regards
Infected stitch site
Detailed Answer:
Hi.
First wash your hands thoroughly, then take a sterile gauze and soak the gauze with Betadine solution, clean the area with that gauze, very gently removing the secretions/necrotic slough as much as you can. Next take another sterile gauze, soak it well with betadine solution and smear that Betadine soaked gauze through the wound gently.
After cleaning you can apply polysporin, twice daily for a week or so. Repeat these steps everyday for a week
Oral antibiotics are a must. In addition to that, cleaning the wound locally of all the infected secretions would hasten the healing process
It would be better if you can once get it cleaned with a primary care practitioner and learn how to do it, thereafter you can do it on your own at home.
Take care
regards
Note: Hope the answers resolves your concerns, however for further guidance of skin related queries consult our Dermatologist.Click here to book a consultation
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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