Do I need to worry? Does this need wound care other than cleansing and keeping dry? (photo)

Question

I am 9wks post op breast reduction. I have had delayed wound healing to my left breast. My surgeon said it is related to large amt of tissue removed and related tissue necrosis. He has repeatedly assured me it will heal and I be told to just keep clean and dry. Today it seems to have a hole near bottom of incision. I am worried.

Jeff Angobaldo, MD · Answer

Hello and thank you for your question! Unfortunately delayed wound healing is a risk with these procedures can be common. I would continue to follow your surgeons post op wound care instructions. Be sure to keep the area clean, wash twice daily with antimicrobial soap, and keep it covered to decreased the risk of bacteria entering the open wound. I would suggest using an over the counter topical cream like bacitracin for a few days and then stop it. You don't want to keep the wound constantly moist because that is a breeding ground for bacteria. It also doesn't allow the skin to close. Every surgeon is different but I recommend purchasing silver alginate dressings on amazon. I would order those along with some telfa, tegaderm and some nexcare tape. After 3-5 days, stop the bacitracin, and start using just the silver alginate dressings. If you have a lot of drainage, change the dressing twice daily. Apply a silver alginate with a telfa covering it and tape it on all four sides. If you don't have a lot of drainage, apply an alginate dressing with a tegaderm over it. Try to avoid any opening of the tegaderm and make sure it adheres to the skin. Use it for 3 days and then continue to change the dressings every 2-3 days and it usually will heal it up after about 2 weeks. You don't want that area to contain any moisture. If water is holding under your dressing it will attract bacteria and the wound will continue to open. Goal is clean and dry! If you start to get any other symptoms of infection like fevers, yellow or green drainage, malaise etc make an apt with your surgeon! Hope this helps!

Dhaval M. Patel, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question and photo! It is important that you follow your surgeons EXACT wound care post op instructions.  If your surgeon told you not to do or use something then dont.  Best of luck!Dhaval Patel 
Double Board Certifed
Plastic Surgeon
Chicago
Hoffman Estates
Oakbrook
Orland Park

Ashish K. Jain, MD · Answer

This is fairly common for large breast reductions. I would recommend cleaning the wound with soap and water. Once it is clean and dry, apply a thin layer of OTC antibiotic ointment and a dry gauze. Doing this daily should help the wound heal. If the wound does not continue to get better or this area becomes red/hot to touch and you start having fevers you should contact your plastic surgeon.

Do I need to worry? Does this need wound care other than cleansing and keeping dry? (photo)

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Do I need to worry? Does this need wound care other than cleansing and keeping dry? (photo)

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Everything you need to know about Breast Reduction

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