I have a 2inch hole in my incision after a TT with lipo and a culture shows that the area is now infected with ecoli. (Photo)

Question

The drains were removed 5 days after surgery and the lines appeared clogged. Two weeks later a hole appeared in the incision and is leaking yellow/red fluid. I am wet to dry packing to allow healing from the inside, but now show an ecoli infection. Should I be worried about an intestinal perforation and if so, how is that treated? I'm taking Cipro but that will only deal with the infection, not the problem.

Jon M. Grazer, MD, MPH, FACS · Answer

The chronological order of the photos show your wound is improving and cleaning up. Open wounds near the pubic or buttocks area can become colonized with fecal bugs like ecoli. This colonization does not mean that there is an infection. If there was an infection, there would be puss in the wound, the area surrounding area would be very red, you would feel bad and your white blood cell count would be high.The wound will get bigger until it cleans up. If the size increases, a wound VAC may make it easier to take care of and heal up faster. If you had an intestinal perforation, you would most likely be very sick and have stool coming out of the wound.Be patient see your surgeon frequently and ie will close.Yours,Jon M. Grazer, MD, MPH, FACS

Tom J. Pousti, MD · Answer

Sorry to hear about the complication you have experienced. These types of superficial separations or wounds can occur, and sometimes may “look worse, before it looks better”. In my opinion, the most important “factor” involved with successful treatment of the complication will be close follow-up with your plastic surgeon. He/she will be in the best position to monitor situation carefully. Infections should be ruled out and “foreign bodies” such as sutures that may prevent quick healing may be removed. The open wound should go on to heal over the course of the next several weeks, hopefully without long-term sequelae. Concentrate on a well-balanced ( good protein source) diet. Best wishes.

Burr von Maur, MD · Answer

Your photos show that the wound appears to be granulating. It's unlikely that you have an intestinal perforation and E.coli is present but not in overwhelming amounts to cause severe infection.I would suggest debridemont and then apply a Wound Vac. You wound will heal much faster with less bothersome dressing changes.

Curtis Wong, MD · Answer

you would know by now... and you would have had surgery to correct it.  Trust your surgeon to do the best thing for you and you will eventually recovery from this with a scar much smaller than what you could imagine as you look at your wound.  These complications do happen and fortunately, they resolve and you can then evaluate your results and see what can be done to further improve results if you have a scar that is not satisfactory to you.

Anh Lee, MD, FACS · Answer

Unfortunately wounds like this can happen after surgery and I would recommend following the wound care instructions your PS has started you on.  Also you should make sure you are on a high protein diet to help with the wound healing process.

I have a 2inch hole in my incision after a TT with lipo and a culture shows that the area is now infected with ecoli. (Photo)

Answers (7)

Answer: If you had a perforation from your procedure

Answer: If you had a perforation from your procedure

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Answer: Wound after tummy tuck

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I have a 2inch hole in my incision after a TT with lipo and a culture shows that the area is now infected with ecoli. (Photo)

Answers (7)

Answer: If you had a perforation from your procedure

Answer: If you had a perforation from your procedure

Answer: Wound after tummy tuck

Answer: Wound after tummy tuck

Browse related questions

Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Tummy Tuck

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.