Exploring Treatment for Non-Healing Surgical Wounds- Waco, Tx

Non-healing Surgical Wound treatment in Waco, Tx

Non-healing surgical wound treatment: Certain factors can increase the risk of developing a non-healing surgical wound. These include:

Underlying medical condition

Patients with underlying medical conditions such as diabetes have an increased risk after having surgery. This is because diabetes negatively impacts the healing of a wound. Diabetes affects blood circulation in the body.

It reduces blood flow to the surgical site, making it difficult for the body to deliver nutrient-rich blood to the surgical site. As a result, the surgical site heals slowly or doesn’t heal at all.

Smoking

People who smoke are at risk of developing non-healing surgical wounds after having surgery. Proper amounts of blood and oxygen are needed for a wound to heal. When you smoke, the ingredients in tobacco can damage your blood vessels, thereby reducing blood flow to the surgical site. Smoking also decreases oxygen in your blood and increases the risk of infection.

Excess intake of alcohol

Excessive intake of alcohol slows down the healing process of a wound. Chronic alcohol abuse leads to elevated blood sugar levels.

High blood sugar can lead to the narrowing of the blood vessels, reducing the delivery of oxygen and nutrient-rich blood to the surgical site, thereby slowing wound healing.

The type of surgery that was done

The type of surgery that was done can determine if the surgical site will quickly heal or not. Invasive and complicated surgery may take a long time to heal.

Poor surgical technique or skills

When surgery is poorly done, it can negatively impact the healing of the surgical site.

Poor nutrition

A lack of nutrients and essential vitamins in your body can decrease the healing process of a wound.

Aging

As you age, many things in your body begin to deteriorate, including the healing process of wounds.

Overweight

People who’re overweight are more at risk of non-healing surgical wounds.

• Undergoing abdominal or intestinal surgeries
• Long surgical procedures that last for over 2 years
• Having emergency or revision surgery

Symptoms of Non-healing Surgical Wound

Symptoms may include:

• Increased pain at the wound site
• Exudates and foul smell from the wound site
• Redness at the wound site
• Swelling of skin around the wound site
• Feeling of hotness around the wound
• Wound that appears dried out or covered by dead and dry tissue
• Fever

Methods of Non-healing Surgical Wound treatment in Waco, Tx

These wounds are caused by an underlying medical condition, and addressing the underlying medical condition can help improve the healing of the wound.

Treatments of non-healing surgical wounds follow the same steps as treating other types of non-healing wounds.

Step 1: Debridement

The first step to take when treating is to check if dead and dry tissue is covering the surface of the wound. If the surface of the wound is covered by dead and dry tissue, it will be removed using a method called debridement.

By removing dead and dry tissue from the surface of the wound, the wound can be cleaned and allowed to heal.

Step 2: Cleaning the wound

After debridement, the wound will be properly cleaned with salt water. Dirt and bacteria will be gently cleaned off the surface of the wound.

Step 3: Applying medication to the wound

Topical antibiotics may be applied to the wound to prevent infection and encourage quick healing.

Step 4: Dressing the wound

After the medication is applied, the wound will be properly dressed to prevent dirt and bacteria from getting into the wound. Dressing the wound also allows fluids to drain out of the wound. As fluids and exudates drain out of the wound, it heals much faster.

Medications

You may be given oral or intravenous antibiotics to prevent the wound from getting infected and make the wound heal faster.

Skin or tissue grafting

In severe cases whereby the wound is very large or deep, skin or tissue grafting may be required to cover up the wound. Skin harvested from another part of your body may be used to cover up the wound to allow it to heal. Synthetic skin may also be used instead of your skin.

What are the 4 complications of wound healing?

The 4 common complications of wound healing are:

Infections

Infection is the most common wound-healing complication. When the skin is opened, bacteria can easily enter the wound, thereby infecting the wound. Infection is the most common cause of non-healing wounds.

Tissue Necrosis and Gangrene

Tissue necrosis and gangrene refer to the death of tissue due to interrupted blood flow to the tissue. Interrupted blood flow can be the cause of non-healing wounds and this can lead to tissue necrosis and gangrene.

Wound Dehiscence

Wound dehiscence is a complication that occurs after surgery whereby the incision made during a surgical procedure reopens either internally or externally.

Osteomyelitis

This is an infection in the bone. Infection can travel from a non-healing wound down to nearby bones.

What are some do’s and don’ts of non-healing surgical wound treatment?

Do’s

• Irrigate the wound by holding it under running water and gently patting it dry.
• Apply petroleum jelly to an open wound to keep it moist and speed up the healing process.
• Cover or dress the open wound to avoid dirt and bacteria from entering it.
• Replace wound dressing as necessary and follow your doctor’s directions.
• Increase your protein intake to help with wound healing.
• Always consult your doctor for directions.

Don’ts

• Don’t get your wound wet. You can take a bath or shower but protect your wound and keep it dry.
• Don’t clean your wound with any type of soap or chemicals.
• Don’t apply pressure on your wound.
• Don’t smoke.
• Don’t drink excess alcohol and control your blood sugar.
• Do not leave your wound open.
• Don’t scratch, pick, or rub your wound.
• Don’t touch your wound with your bare hands.
• Don’t apply body lotion or other skin care products on your wound.

Cost of Non-healing surgical wound treatment in Waco, Tx?

The cost of treating non-healing wounds varies depending on several factors including the severity of the wound, the size of the wound, the expertise of the provider, and the location. The cost can be anywhere from $4,000 to $20,000.

FAQs

How should a non-healing surgical wound be cleaned in Waco, Tx?

To clean a non-healing surgical wound;

• First, direct the wound under running water for about 5 minutes to clear off blood and exudates from the wound.
• Then, soak a gauze pad or cloth in saline water and gently dab or wipe the wound with it. You can also use an alcohol-free wipe to gently dab or wipe the wound. Gently remove all drainage and blood or other foreign bodies that may be on the wound.
• Do not clean the wound with soap, skin cleansers, alcohol, peroxide, iodine, or with antibacterial chemicals.

What happens if a non-healing surgical wound does not heal?

If a non-healing wound doesn’t heal, it can get infected and can lead to tissue Necrosis and Gangrene (death of tissue). The nearby bones may also get infected. In severe cases, gangrene can lead to amputation of the affected limb.

How are non-healing surgical wound infections diagnosed?

The most common sign of a non-healing wound is infection.

The standard approach to diagnosing a wound infection is to identify the pathogens involved in the infection. A wound swab sample will be collected and cultured for different aerobic and anaerobic microorganisms and bacteria. A wound swab sample can also be used to identify if there’s any fungal present.

Ultrasonography may also be used to diagnose surgical site infections. It is used to determine the presence of abscess within a surgical site.

Why is the wound not healing?

There are various reasons why a wound is not healing. These include:

• Infection
• Underlying medical conditions such as diabetes
• Poor Circulation
• Poor Nutrition
• Poor surgical technique
• Aging
• Smoking
• Excessive intake of alcohol
• Not following aftercare directions

What is the fastest way to heal a surgical wound?

The fastest and most effective way to heal a surgical wound is to follow all aftercare instructions. By following your doctor’s instructions, your wound will heal as it should.

Waco Heart & Vascular: Best Clinic for Non-healing Surgical Wound Treatment in Waco, Tx

Waco Heart & Vascular is a renowned provider of non-healing surgical wound treatment in Waco, Tx, treatments for non-healing wounds. We are known for providing revolutionary treatment for various types of wounds, including surgical wounds.

Waco Heart & Vascular has been directly involved in healing many patients with non-healing wounds for many years. We provide comprehensive wound care and patient-centric wound management. At Waco Heart & Vascular, we have a team of wound care specialists that work tirelessly to provide effective and successful wound care treatments and services for patients with various types of wounds.

If you have been dealing with a non-healing surgical wound but with no significant improvements, we encourage you to contact us or schedule an appointment.