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Incision is Splitting in Center and Has a Yellow Pus Coming out - is This Normal?

asked 9 months ago by akechter in Danville, CA
Latest answer by Leo Lapuerta, MD
Question viewed 911 times
Tags: 3 weeks post-op, incision, oozing, split, yellow

I am 3 weeks post tummy tuck and my incision steri strips fell off in the center. The incision is splitting about a quarter of an inch open in the center and there is yellow pus oozing from the center. Is this normal? Will it close back up or do I need it re-sutured?

15 answers to Incision is Splitting in Center and Has a Yellow Pus Coming out - is This Normal?

Post Operative Tummy Tuck

First, I would contact your plastic surgeon for an appointment to have him/her examine the wound. It is very common to have an open area in the middle of your abdomen after surgery. You do want to make sure that it is not infected. Should no infection be present, then proper wound care should be discussed between you and your plastic surgeon.

Leo Lapuerta, MD
Houston Plastic Surgeon

Delayed wound healing after tummy tuck surgery

Occasionally after tummy tuck surgery there may be areas of healing delay due to decreased blood supply to the affected area. The central part of the incision above the pubic area is one of these areas where this can occur. Usually these areas are small and with conservative treatment and dressing changes they will heal. I encourage you to see your plastic surgeon to set up a method of care for this problem.

Richard Linderman, MD
Indianapolis Plastic Surgeon

See your surgeon ASAP

Hello, Wound complications are beyond online "general advice" boundaries. Get to your surgeon's office ASAP for proper care. Best Regards, John Di Saia MD

John P. Di Saia, MD
Orange Plastic Surgeon

Superficial openings post-tummy tuck

I would consult your surgeon to rule out any infections. Signs of infection may include fever, chills, abnormal swelling, or redness around the incision. It is important that you follow all post-op instructions to avoid any complications. It is common for patients to experience superficial openings, which will heal over time. It is difficult to determine whether you would need re-suturing without current photos. Often these openings will heal with dressing changes. Scar revision may be... more

Tom J. Pousti, MD
San Diego Plastic Surgeon

www.poustiplasticsurgery.com

Wound opening s/p tummy tuck

Although not normal, this is not all that rare. It could be due to a small area where the blood supply to the skin was not sufficient and the area of skin died (necrosis). It can also occur when a dissolvable suture gets 'spit" out to the surface rather than dissolving and you can get a small pus collection around it ("suture abcess"). Either way, your surgeon should see you and assess this. Usually these areas are treated with local wound care and allowed to... more

Robert M. Grenley, MD
Seattle Plastic Surgeon

Wound separation after tummy tuck

Wound separation after a tummy tuck, while not an unusual occurrence, is usually limited and will heal with some local wound care. Nevertheless you should see your plastic surgeon for advice on how to care for the open wound. It is rare that we need to do either a re-closure or a scar revision for these minor setbacks, the abdominal incision usually heals wonderfully, given enough time. You should keep lines of communication open with your surgeon and visit him or her frequently until the... more

Johan E. Brahme, MD
San Diego Plastic Surgeon

Wound separation after a tummy tuck

Hello and thank you for the question. You may be experiencing a small dehiscense along the midline of your incision. This occurence is not completely uncommon, but with proper care should heal in due time. I recommend you follow up with your physician for an evaluation and managment plan. Best of luck, Glenn Vallecillos, M.D., F.A.C.S.

Glenn Vallecillos, MD
Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon

Common Complication of Tummy Tuck

This is very common. That area has the most tension and sometimes spreads or opens. sometimes a suture will "spit" causing a opening. This will heal just fine. Your doctor should be aware. see video

Miguel Delgado, Jr., MD
San Francisco Plastic Surgeon

www.dr-delgado.com

Abdominoplasty post operative concerns

When in doubt contact your board certified plastic surgeon. Patients heal differently and it is important to make certain your surgeon is aware as this could be a potential complication. Best of luck!

Christine Sullivan, MD
Columbus Plastic Surgeon

Incision is Splitting in Center and Has a Yellow Pus Coming out - is This Normal?

Not normal best to see your PS ASAP to offer wound care. If re suturing is needed than he should make that decision.

Darryl J. Blinski, MD
Miami Plastic Surgeon

Tummy Tuck Incision Splitting in Center 3 weeks after surgery and Pus Coming out is NOT Normal

Wound separation is NOT part of normal healing but is not a rare event. Wound separation may be superficial, intermediate or deep. It may be related to death of the skin and/or to death of the underlying fat associated with a reduction of blood supply (smokers, diabetics, aggressive liposuction etc). It may be associated with the body pushing our a stitch or two or in may be related to spontaneous drainage of a fluid collection (seroma). The majority of such cases resolve with... more

Peter A. Aldea, MD
Memphis Plastic Surgeon

A small wound separation 3 weeks following a tummy tuck

It is not rare to have a small separation of the incision which can be due to a variety of reasons. This can be due to a breakage of a suture or even a suture coming thorugh the skin. It does not sound like an infection in your case. Neverthless, you should contact your plastic surgeon for further instructions. This area may just require local wound care and may not even need to be resutured.

Steven Turkeltaub, MD
Scottsdale Plastic Surgeon

www.turkeltaub.com

Incision open after tummy tuck

This may be entirely normal but you should check right away with your surgeon for advice. Most of the time a small opening will just heal up nicely, you do not want to stitch it because it will lead to infection doing that.

Richard P. Rand, MD, FACS
Seattle Plastic Surgeon

Minor wound separation is common, but should be evaluated by your surgeono

It is quite common for there to be a small area of a long incision that separates a bit before healing. However, this must be evaluated in person by your plastic surgeon. Contact him or her ASAP.

Elizabeth Lee, MD
Bay Area Plastic Surgeon

artfulsurgery.com

Incision opened up

I would suggest you call your plastic surgeon and let them evaluate the wound. Chances are that proper wound care will handle the situation and it will heal in without a procedure. but you need to see the surgeon so proper care and maybe antibiotics are given if indicated.