Wound Healing Complications Flashcards
What type of problems can haemorrhage and haematoma cause?
Separation of wound edges, necrosis, wound dishiscence, prevent graft adhesion, growth medium for bacteria.
What is a haematoma?
A localised collection of extravasated blood, usually clotted, in an organ, space or tissue.
How can you treat haemorrhage and haematomas?
Haemorrhage: Pressure bandage, restrict movement, investigate cause.
Haematoma: None, aspirate, warm compress.
What is oedema? What problems can it cause?
Accumulation of fluid in the interstitial space. May cause dehiscence and delay healing.
How can you treat oedema?
Massage, support, remove constricting sutures.
What is a seroma? What problems can it cause?
Collection of serum and tissue fluid in dead space. Causes tissue separation - can be caused by haematoma, oedema, abscess etc.
How can you treat a seroma?
None, conservative treatment include aspiration, control dead space, drain, remove sutures.
What is wound dehiscence? What can you do if this occurs?
It is a primary healing defect that occurs usually 3-5 days after surgery (unless self trauma). Usually use second intention healing or surgical repair.
How does tissue necrosis occur?
Inadequate blood supply or inadequate debridement of wound.
What problems can excessive scarring and contracture lead to?
Excessive scarring: stenosis, functional incompetence, restrict movement.
Contracture: loss of function
What is a sinus?
Blind ending tract extending from one epithelial surface (epidermal or mucosal) to a deep site of infection.
What is a fistula?
Communicating tract that extends from one epithelial surface to another e.g. oronasal, rectovaginal.
Give 4 ways that delayed healing/non healing can occur?
Impaired granulation tissue, impaired epithelialisation, inhibition of contraction, indolent pocket wound
