03 Sep Post-Surgical Wound Case Study
patient overview
Patient is a 69-year-old female referred to Mendota Health with a chronic wound of the abdomen due to several large hernia repairs. Wound was 118 CM at initial consult and had been present for over a year when referred to Mendota Health for advanced wound care intervention.
wound management
Negative Pressure Wound Therapy (NPWT), Calcium Alginate, Optifoam, Xeroform Petrolatum Dressing, Hydrofera Blue Rope Antibacterial Foam Dressing, Debridement, Skin Substitute
wound presence
1 Year
time to heal
5 Months
initial presentation
- BMI 36
- Type 2 diabetes
- Hyperthyroidism
- Ileostomy, due to complications with Ulcerative Colitis
- Abdominal hernia surgery infection repair
assessment & management
The wound had periods of healing and deterioration due to infection that was controlled through debridement, dressing changes, and topical medication. Debridement was performed on the wound to remove devitalized tissue and disrupt biofilm. During the process of debridement wound tunneling was observed and treated with Hydrofera Blue Rope Antibacterial Foam Dressing.
Xeroform Petrolatum Dressing 5″ x 9″ was applied three times a week. Calcium Alginate and Optifoam dressings were applied. An abdominal sonogram and X-ray were ordered to rule out fistula due to ulcerative colitis. After the wound bed was prepped and tunneling was addressed, the wound was treated with skin substitute for 9 weeks.
outcome
The wound healed 99.9% resulting in less pain, less exudate, increased granulation tissue, increased epithelial tissue, wound edge contraction, decrease in depth of wound bed, improvement of appearance of wound bed, and increased quality of life. The patient had been afraid to get out of bed because she said it felt like her intestines were going to fall out of the wound. After the wound healed she was able to comfortably travel to see family in another state.