Wound healing complications Flashcards
Outline some general complications of wound healing
Haemorrhage and haematoma Swelling and oedema Seroma Dehisence Infection - tissue necrosis Scarring and contracture Draining tracts Exposed bone Non-healing wounds
What are the different types of wound? 5
Elective incisional Elective excisional Traumatic complications Acute Chronic
What are Halsted’s Principles of Surgery?
H - haemostasis A - aseptic technique L - light touch (atraumatic surgery) S - supply of blood preserved T - tension free closure E - even tissue apposition D - dead space obliteration
What are Esmarch’s principles of wound management? 5
Non-introduction of anything harmful Tissue rest Wound drainage Avoidance of venous stasis Cleanliness
When can haemorrhage and haematoma occur?
Post-operatively:
Primary
Delayed primary
Secondary
What effect does a haematoma have on wound healing? 7
physical separation of wound edges
pressure on wound edges (necrosis and dehisence)
prevention of adherence of grafts and flaps
physical barrier to leukocyte migration
growth medium for bacteria
pain
organisation of haematoma may cause a deformity
How do you manage haemorrhage?
Pressure - light bandage, 12 hours
Restrict movement
Investigate coagulopathy
Supportive (fluids +/- blood products)
How do you manage haematoma?
none
aspirate - but infection risk
warm compress
What are DDx for swelling and oedema? 2
infection and cellulitis
What therapy is appropriate for swelling and oedema?
massage, support dressing, remove constricting structures
What is an axial pattern flap?
a myocutaneous flap containing an artery in its long axis
Define seroma
a collection of serum and tissue fluid in dead space
What are the effects of a seroma?
tissue separation skin flaps skin grafts tension on incision lines interference with blood supply interferes with WBC migration
What are DDx for seroma? 3
haematoma, oedema, abscess, wound dehisence and herniation
What is best treatment for seroma?
Most resolve but prevention better than cure - no sepcific therapy.
CONSERVATIVE: aspirate, control dead space, control movemement, drainage (avoid suction), remove sutures
SURGICAL INTERVENTION: dehisence, secondary infection
What contributing factors may lead to seroma? 7
inflammation lymphatic injury poor haemostasis traumatic surgery implants movement dead space
What are reasons for dehisence?
primary healing defect
surgical technique, judgement, wound bed, trauma
When is dehisence usually seen? Exception?
3-5 days after surgery (unless self-trauma)
What are signs of dehisence?
serosanguinous discharge
swelling
necrosis, buising, discharge
What is appropriate therapy for dehisence? 2
second intention healing or surgical repair
What broad factors affect whether a wound will become infected?
bacteria
local wound environment
local and systemic defence
What are the 2 main reasons for tissue necrosis?
Inadequate blood supply
Inadequate debridement
When are scarring and contracture beneficial? 1
shear injuries
What might happen if you have excessive scar formation? 4
stenosis
functional incompetence
restriction of movement
contracture –> loss of function
What is a sinus?
blind ending tract that extends from one epithelial surface (epidermal or mucosal). Deep site of inection, FB, sequestrum
What is a fistula?
a communicating tract that extends form one epithelial tract to another (e.g. oronasal, rectovaginal, bronchooesophageal)
What are forage holes?
When you have an injury involving bone, you might assess the BM’s supply of BVs in order to perform microvascular tissue transfer
What is forage?
= osteostixis = subchondral drilling
numerous holes are drilled with a fine Kirshner wire or microdrill burr through to subchondral bone so that bleeding is encountered. Particularly useful if bone with the defect is sclerotic or eburnated.
Name 2 skin repair techniques that brings additional blood supply back.
axial pattern flapp
microvascular tissue transfer
What is the main reason for delayed healing and non-healing wounds?
inflammatory phase of healing is impeded.