Wound dehiscence

Wound dehiscence refers to when a wound which has been closed, reopens. This may cause bleeding, pain, and inflammation, and predisposes to infection. It mostly occurs secondarily to a wound infection. It may also occur due to improper wound closing which puts too much tension on the wound, or if the patient does not follow instructions to avoid heavy lifting. The wound must be cleaned and debrided before it can be surgically closed again.

The worst type of wound dehiscence is “burst abdomen”, in which a laparotomy wound bursts open. It may be partial (bowel not eviscerated) or complete (bowel eviscerated). In either case, this is a surgical emergency which must be emergently treated in the OR.

‎