When a surgical incision doesn’t heal as expected, an underlying infection or another condition might be interfering with your body’s natural healing process. When wound healing is delayed, it is called a nonhealing surgical wound.
UPMC experts specialize in advanced treatments for nonhealing surgical wounds, offering options that promote wound healing and reduce the risk of recurrence.
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What Is a Nonhealing Surgical Wound?
When a surgical incision doesn’t heal as expected, an underlying infection or another condition might be interfering with your body’s natural healing process. When wound healing is delayed, it is called a nonhealing surgical wound.
How common are nonhealing surgical wounds?
Nonhealing surgical wounds — also known as chronic wounds — are common. Research shows that 1% to 2% of people in the U.S. will have a nonhealing wound in their lifetime.
What causes nonhealing surgical wounds?
Nonhealing surgical wounds can be caused by:
- Bacterial infection.
- Chronic health conditions, such as diabetes.
- Lifestyle factors, such as smoking or a lack of proper nutrition.
- Obesity.
- Weak immune system.
Nonhealing surgical wound risk factors
Surgery involving the intestines is more likely to cause a nonhealing wound due to bacterial infection, and people with diabetes or a weakened immune system are also at greater risk.
Complications of nonhealing surgical wounds
Nonhealing surgical wounds can cause complications including:
- Bacteremia (bacteria in the bloodstream).
- Delayed healing and recovery.
- Fistula (an abnormal connection between organs or tissues).
- Infection.
- Necrosis (tissue death).
- Wound dehiscence (reopening).
If left untreated, these infections can lead to sepsis, amputation, or death.
How can I reduce my risks of a nonhealing surgical wound?
You can reduce your risks of developing a nonhealing surgical wound by:
- Eating a healthy diet and staying hydrated.
- Following your doctor’s instructions for post-surgical wound care.
- Managing chronic conditions, such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol.
- Maintaining a healthy weight.
- Quitting smoking.
What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Nonhealing Surgical Wounds?
The main symptom of a nonhealing surgical wound is that it doesn’t heal within the expected timeframe. Although other health conditions can cause slow-healing surgical wounds, infection is a common cause.
Symptoms of a wound infection include:
- Drainage of fluid or pus.
- Fever.
- Foul odor.
- Increased pain.
- Deep or dry wound.
- Redness.
- Warmth.
When should I see a doctor about my nonhealing surgical wound symptoms?
If your surgical wound isn’t healing as expected, you should contact your doctor right away. Early treatment can reduce your risk of life-threatening complications.
How Do You Diagnose Nonhealing Surgical Wounds?
Your doctor will diagnose nonhealing surgical wounds during a physical exam.
What to expect during your visit
If your doctor suspects a nonhealing surgical wound, they will:
- Perform a physical exam.
- Ask you about your symptoms.
- Order tests.
Tests to diagnose nonhealing surgical wounds
Although a physical exam is typically all that is needed to diagnose nonhealing surgical wounds, your doctor may order other tests to check for infections and other conditions.
Tests may include:
- Biopsy — A procedure to take a small sample of abnormal tissue for analysis in a lab.
- Blood cultures and tests — Look for signs of infection and other abnormalities.
- MRI — To pinpoint the affected area and help doctors develop a treatment plan.
- X-ray — Creates images of the bones and tissues inside your body.
Nonhealing surgical wound prognosis
Getting early treatment for a nonhealing surgical wound can improve your chances of healing. Nonhealing surgical wounds are more difficult to treat after they become chronic or cause other complications.
How Do You Treat Nonhealing Surgical Wounds?
Treatment for nonhealing surgical wounds can help to reduce the risk of complications, heal the wound, and improve your quality of life.
Treatment options may include:
Medications for nonhealing surgical wounds
Your doctor may prescribe medications for nonhealing surgical wounds, including:
- Antibiotics.
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).
- Pain relievers.
Nonsurgical treatments for nonhealing surgical wounds
Nonsurgical treatment options may include:
- Advanced wound dressing — Uses specialized bandages and medications to promote wound healing.
- Bioengineered skin substitutes — Grafts that are applied to wounds to promote healing of damaged skin.
- Lifestyle changes — Managing chronic conditions, eating a healthy diet, getting regular exercise (if able), and maintaining a healthy body weight to promote healing.
- Systemic hyperbaric oxygen therapy — A treatment where you breathe 100% oxygen in a pressurized chamber to increase oxygen levels in your blood and promote healing.
Surgical treatments for nonhealing surgical wounds
Our wound care team has experienced orthopaedic, vascular, podiatric, and plastic surgeons who can assess and treat an array of nonhealing wounds. We offer procedures to improve circulation and treat nonhealing wounds.
Surgical treatment options for nonhealing surgical wounds may include:
- Vacuum-assisted wound closure — In advanced wound healing, vacuum-assisted closure is used to help drain blood or fluid from a nonhealing wound.
- Wound debridement — Involves removing infected or nonviable tissue from the site of a wound to speed healing.
Why Choose UPMC for Nonhealing Surgical Wound Care?
When you choose UPMC for nonhealing surgical wound care, you will receive:
- Access to world-class wound care expertise — Our world-renowned experts treat all types of nonhealing wounds using the latest approaches and techniques.
- A full range of treatment options — We offer advanced care for nonhealing surgical wounds while reducing your risk of complications.
- Multidisciplinary care — We partner with orthopaedic, vascular, podiatric, and plastic surgeons who can provide complete nonhealing wound care that optimizes your recovery and quality of life.
