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My mastectomy wound has opened almost entirely. Will this heal/fill in on its own as the PS tells me it will? (Photo)

Non- smoker, no diabetes, no radiation, no infection. Bi-lateral mastectomy and other breast healed fine. Plastic surgically debrided and reclosed wound 2 weeks ago, but it reopened. I am using Silvadeen on wound. Plastic says will heal on its own. How it's this possible? I am horrified by this huge open wound and very scared it won't heal. Can it and how long might this take? Your thoughts?

Doctor Answers 4

Wound concerns

January 15th, 2015
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You have to trust your surgeon as your surgeon knows what was done and how your implant (if it was used) is protected.  Attempting to close an open wound is truly just an attempt as it most likely will break down as yours did.  But if there is no implant exposure or implant, your wound will heal with continued wound care but it will take weeks for this to happen.  Trust your surgeon and you should be seen regularly until you are 'out of the woods'. 
Curtis Wong, MD
January 15th, 2015

Wound concerns

{{ voteCount >= 0 ? '+' + (voteCount + 1) : (voteCount + 1) }}
You have to trust your surgeon as your surgeon knows what was done and how your implant (if it was used) is protected.  Attempting to close an open wound is truly just an attempt as it most likely will break down as yours did.  But if there is no implant exposure or implant, your wound will heal with continued wound care but it will take weeks for this to happen.  Trust your surgeon and you should be seen regularly until you are 'out of the woods'. 
Curtis Wong, MD

Open wound after mastectomy

January 12th, 2015
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It is always difficult to be dealing with such an open wound after surgery. If you indeed had a mastectomy, I would need to know what type of reconstruction you had. If you had an autologous tissue (flap) reconstruction, and there is no implant, then this wound will heal with local wound care. It will likely take weeks. If there is an implant present, I would be much more concerned as the risk of infection would be greater. If on the other hand, your surgery was a breast reduction and not a mastectomy, then you should also heal with time. Your surgeon already attempted to recluse this wound unsuccessfully so  additional surgery would likely fail. It is difficult, but be patient. Once your wound heals, allow more time to soften the scar and you can consider a scar revision at a later date
Leo Keegan, MD

Leo Keegan, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon
4.9 out of 5 stars 8 reviews

January 12th, 2015

Open wound after mastectomy

{{ voteCount >= 0 ? '+' + (voteCount + 1) : (voteCount + 1) }}
It is always difficult to be dealing with such an open wound after surgery. If you indeed had a mastectomy, I would need to know what type of reconstruction you had. If you had an autologous tissue (flap) reconstruction, and there is no implant, then this wound will heal with local wound care. It will likely take weeks. If there is an implant present, I would be much more concerned as the risk of infection would be greater. If on the other hand, your surgery was a breast reduction and not a mastectomy, then you should also heal with time. Your surgeon already attempted to recluse this wound unsuccessfully so  additional surgery would likely fail. It is difficult, but be patient. Once your wound heals, allow more time to soften the scar and you can consider a scar revision at a later date

Leo Keegan, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Mastectomy or Mastopexy?

January 11th, 2015
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I'm not sure that you had a mastectomy. It appears you had a lift and possible reduction. If that is the case then the area can likely slowly heal in. If it is a mastectomy and there is an implant then that is a concern. This would be best addressed with your surgeon. Best of Luck!
M. Scott Haydon, MD
January 11th, 2015

Mastectomy or Mastopexy?

{{ voteCount >= 0 ? '+' + (voteCount + 1) : (voteCount + 1) }}
I'm not sure that you had a mastectomy. It appears you had a lift and possible reduction. If that is the case then the area can likely slowly heal in. If it is a mastectomy and there is an implant then that is a concern. This would be best addressed with your surgeon. Best of Luck!
M. Scott Haydon, MD

Large breast wound

January 11th, 2015
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Just a small point, but from the pictures it looks like you had a mastopexy (breast lift) not a mastectomy (breast removal usually for cancer). Your wound will eventually heal either on its own or perhaps with further surgery like a skin graft. If a reclosure has already failed, I wouldn't recommend trying that again. You may need revisions later after all is healed.
Richard P. Rand, MD, FACS
January 11th, 2015

Large breast wound

{{ voteCount >= 0 ? '+' + (voteCount + 1) : (voteCount + 1) }}
Just a small point, but from the pictures it looks like you had a mastopexy (breast lift) not a mastectomy (breast removal usually for cancer). Your wound will eventually heal either on its own or perhaps with further surgery like a skin graft. If a reclosure has already failed, I wouldn't recommend trying that again. You may need revisions later after all is healed.
Richard P. Rand, MD, FACS

These answers are for educational purposes and should not be relied upon as a substitute for medical advice you may receive from your physician. If you have a medical emergency, please call 911. These answers do not constitute or initiate a patient/doctor relationship.