Surgical wound complications
Surgical wounds are considered acute wounds, usually healing in a predictable manner and timeframe. However, complications can result from any number of external or internal conditions. The two primary potential complications in surgical wounds are dehiscence and infection.
Dehiscence is where the surgical wound edges reopen due to a failure of proper wound healing. Partial dehiscence means the wound edges have reopened in one or more small sections. Complete dehiscence is when the entire incision reopens. Causes of dehiscence include poor suture technique, pressure on sutures, decreased blood flow, and infection. Even minor wound separation should be addressed immediately to prevent infection and further dehiscence.
Surgical site infections
Surgical site infections (SSIs) are one of the most common types of health care‐associated infections. An SSI usually happens within 30 days of the surgery. Infections after surgery are caused by germs, most often bacteria Staphylococcus, Streptococcus, and Pseudomonas. Germs can infect the surgical site from your caregiver, germs already on your skin, in your body, the air, other people in the room during surgery, or contaminated surgical instruments.
If you are having surgery, it is important to stop smoking and tell your surgical team about your medical history, including diabetes. Make sure your caregivers clean their hands and don’t shave the surgical site prior to surgery. Your doctor may have additional pre-surgery instructions.
Taking care of your surgical wound
When you come home from surgery, you may have a dressing on your incision. The primary purpose of the dressing is to provide a protective barrier, absorb any drainage, and create an environment for healing.
Your doctor will give you exact instructions for caring for your incision, which may include how to change your dressing, how to keep your incision clean and dry, what to do if your incision bleeds, and how to recognize signs of infection. You may have stitches or staples removed on a follow up visit.
Large or deep surgery incisions can take 6 to 8 weeks to heal. Your doctor may advise you to avoid lifting anything heavy as the wound heals. Be sure to follow the instructions you’re given. Eating a healthy diet and exercising according to your doctor’s guidelines will help your wound to heal.
If you get an SSI
Signs you may have an infection include delayed healing, fever or feeling sick, and/or redness, pain, tenderness, warmth, or swelling at the surgical site. You may also have a foul odor, blood, fluid or pus drainage, or an abscess. It is important to contact your doctor immediately if you have any of these symptoms. Usually, your doctor will prescribe antibiotics. Sometimes an additional surgery or other procedure will be necessary to ensure proper healing.
Omeza® Collagen Matrix is indicated for the management of wounds including surgical wounds.
Types of surgical wounds indicated include donor sites/grafts, post-Moh’s surgery, post-laser surgery, podiatric surgery, and post-surgery wound dehiscence.
The Omeza® treatments address the key components required for effective wound care, including periwound care, removal of biofilm and in-wound bioburden, inflammation and topical pain management.
Our FDA 510(K) clearance required safety data for Omeza® Collagen Matrix which reported no adverse events, safe with no potential for irritation and sensitization, and safe for use on damaged skin.
