Signs That Indicate Your Surgical Wound Is Healing Right Or Not

When the patient is back home after going through surgery, he/she needs to make sure that the incision or cut made by the surgeons during the surgery is healing right & properly otherwise it could lead to an infection. Thereby the patients need to know the signs that inform whether their surgical wounds are healing right or not.

The patients can notice some changes in their wounds in the next few months which may confuse them whether they are normal or a matter of concern. Since open surgical wounds or wounds like sutures or stitches are prone to introduce foreign materials into the body, infection is relatively a common risk being faced by the patients. By identifying the signs of infection early in the surgical wounds, the patients can receive necessary wound care treatment before the bacteria spreads beyond the wound site.

How To Know If Surgical Wound Is Healing Right?

In this blog, we are explaining a few signs of infected wounds that would help patients figure out when they need to call the doctor. Let’s have a look at them:

1. Redness or Swelling - The very first sign of infected surgical wounds is redness or swelling around the surgical site. It is quite normal within a few days of surgery as the body fights off the bacteria and other potential infections exposed in the air and repairs the tissues by releasing white blood cells and forming blood clots. Your surgeons can give you an idea about how much redness or swelling is normal but in case if it stays for more than a week after the surgery, it could be a sign of bacterial infection.
2. Fever - Another sign of infection in the surgical wounds that the patients need to check for is fever. When bacteria enter the body, the increasing temperature is one of the responses of our immune system in an attempt to fight off. It can be accompanied by feeling chilled and is considered a symptom of both viral and bacterial infection. It can affect a patient’s appetite, lead to dehydration and a headache. If the fever persists for more than a day or two, the patient is required to call wound care experts.
3. Foul Smelling Drainage From The Incision - Another sign of infection following surgery is drainage or pus leaking from the surgical site which may have a yellow, white or green colored appearance and foul-smelling. Also known as purulent drainage, it needs to be examined immediately as it is different from ordinary pus.
4. Increased Pain - Generally pain after surgery is supposed to decrease and slowly diminish as the wound heals but if the patient is experiencing an increased pain level at the surgical site for no genuine reason such as extreme physical activities or from reduced use of pain medication etc, it may be a sign of developed infection in the wound. The patient should report pain levels to their physicians throughout the recovery process so that the potential signs of infections can be identified and treated on time.
5. Hot Incision - An infected surgical wound may feel hot to touch as the immune system of our body releases white blood cells to fight off the bacteria which leads to heat and an increased temperature around the wound. Like swelling or pain, a hot incision is also normal after surgery, but if the area around the incision site remains warm to touch more than a few days after surgery, it could be a sign of infection. The patients should keep bedside wound care experts updated about the status of the wound to prevent infection.

These are a few signs of an infection in surgical wounds. If the patient notices any of these signs that stay for more than a prescribed period following the surgery, they need to consult with their doctors.

Other Possible Infections After Surgery

1. Systemic Infection - A Surgical Site Infection (SSI) that moves through your body comes into this category and Malaise is one of them. It is a condition where the patients feel tired and lack energy. It may result in oversleeping or exertion while doing normal activities. The patients who are recovering from surgery experience this infection.
2. Skin Infection - An infection that affects the layers of the skin. In this condition, the bacteria can enter into the body from your skin, and operating room, or any other possible aspect of exposure. This can be painful but can be treated with antibiotics.
3. Muscle and Tissue Infection - It is also known as a deep incisional SSI. It involves the soft tissues around the wound and can spread deeper than skin layers. It results from an untreated infection or medical devices implanted in the skin.
4. Organ And Bone Infection - This type of infection involves any organ that is being touched or manipulated during the surgical procedure. It can result from bacteria entered deep into the body during the surgery. With the help of antibiotics, it can be cured.

Risk Factors Of Infection After Surgery

Some factors can increase the risk for an infection after surgery. It includes:

1. Diabetes2. Obesity3. Smoking habits4. Prior skin infection etc.

When To See Wound Care Surgeons?

If a patient notices any signs of infection in their surgical wounds, they need to consult it with wound care surgeons immediately. An infection can lead to severity if not treated on time. It starts from a small wound on the skin and begins to spread through the bloodstream. Appropriate wound care & treatment can avoid the risks of infection after surgery.

Read more: https://www.woundcaresurgeons.org/surgical-wound

A general surgeon has expertise related to the diagnosis - preoperative, operative and postoperative management - and management of complications of surgical conditions in the following areas: alimentary tract; abdomen; breast, skin and soft tissue