I have an open wound post-op from my breast lift. My doc says let it be; reading stories here, it seems many other ladies are told the same thing. Why isn't stitching it closed done? It heals fine without it? It won't work so many days after the initial surgery? Of course I trust my doctor but I'm still curious.
April 15, 2013
Answer: Wound healing after Breast surgery
Hi,
Its a good question to ask.
The two reasons I would give for not closing the wound are as follows. Firstly, once the wound has opened up it will be contaminated with any bugs that live on your skin, which should not be confused with infection. We all have them and it is normal. If however you close the wound there is the potential for those bugs to be sealed under the skin and to develop into an infection. The second reason is that wounds that heal on their own often are as good as when they heal when they are sutured.
So in short, there is no big advantage and there is the potential to cause an infection.
Reality is if the scar ends up being less than ideal, it is very easy to revise it down the track.
Hope that explains it.
Richard Bloom
Helpful
April 15, 2013
Answer: Wound healing after Breast surgery
Hi,
Its a good question to ask.
The two reasons I would give for not closing the wound are as follows. Firstly, once the wound has opened up it will be contaminated with any bugs that live on your skin, which should not be confused with infection. We all have them and it is normal. If however you close the wound there is the potential for those bugs to be sealed under the skin and to develop into an infection. The second reason is that wounds that heal on their own often are as good as when they heal when they are sutured.
So in short, there is no big advantage and there is the potential to cause an infection.
Reality is if the scar ends up being less than ideal, it is very easy to revise it down the track.
Hope that explains it.
Richard Bloom
Helpful
October 5, 2023
Answer: Why aren't open wounds stitched?
One of the reasons that open wounds are allowed to heal from the inside out is that there was a reason why that wound opened. A wound may open because of an infection, fluid collection, or tension on the wound. If you try to close a wound under these circumstances, it will open again. Under these circumstances, the best options is to allow the wound to heal from the inside out. Once enough healing has occurred and the inflammatory process has calmed down, some wounds may be able to be closed secondarily. Definitely keep in touch with your plastic surgeon during this process! Good luck!
Helpful 4 people found this helpful
October 5, 2023
Answer: Why aren't open wounds stitched?
One of the reasons that open wounds are allowed to heal from the inside out is that there was a reason why that wound opened. A wound may open because of an infection, fluid collection, or tension on the wound. If you try to close a wound under these circumstances, it will open again. Under these circumstances, the best options is to allow the wound to heal from the inside out. Once enough healing has occurred and the inflammatory process has calmed down, some wounds may be able to be closed secondarily. Definitely keep in touch with your plastic surgeon during this process! Good luck!
Helpful 4 people found this helpful