I see patients who have developed holes in the incisions, infections or necrosis and wonder why these cant be cleaned and closed rather than left gaping like I often see? Also I see a lot of issues at the T of the incision on breast lifts due to the intersection, can't extra stitching or some type of proactive prevention be used?
May 12, 2015
Answer: Incision holes, infections or necrosis If there is separation of the incision due to an infection, we generally leave these open since these are considered to be dirty wounds. The patient needs to be started on antibiotics ASAP to treat the infection. As the infection subsides, the open wound should gradually heal and close. One way of minimizing healing problems with the inverted T junction in breast lift or breast reduction surgery is to avoid it altogether by using the vertical mammoplasty technique. With the vertical mammoplasty, you will end up with a lollipop shaped scar instead on an anchor shaped scar, thus, avoiding the inverted T junction which is prone to wound healing problems.
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May 12, 2015
Answer: Incision holes, infections or necrosis If there is separation of the incision due to an infection, we generally leave these open since these are considered to be dirty wounds. The patient needs to be started on antibiotics ASAP to treat the infection. As the infection subsides, the open wound should gradually heal and close. One way of minimizing healing problems with the inverted T junction in breast lift or breast reduction surgery is to avoid it altogether by using the vertical mammoplasty technique. With the vertical mammoplasty, you will end up with a lollipop shaped scar instead on an anchor shaped scar, thus, avoiding the inverted T junction which is prone to wound healing problems.
Helpful 1 person found this helpful
May 12, 2015
Answer: Wound Breakdown Thank you for an excellent question. With large incisions (body contouring, breast reduction etc.) you can have areas of wound breakdown. The T junction you describe is one area. In general, if a wound breaks down, it is safer to let this area heal on its own ( called secondary healing) and then revise the scar later. If you simply re suture it there is a higher rate of infection and repeat breakdown.Wound healing complications are not very common, and are usually easily handled with appropriate wound care and then scar revision if necessary.
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May 12, 2015
Answer: Wound Breakdown Thank you for an excellent question. With large incisions (body contouring, breast reduction etc.) you can have areas of wound breakdown. The T junction you describe is one area. In general, if a wound breaks down, it is safer to let this area heal on its own ( called secondary healing) and then revise the scar later. If you simply re suture it there is a higher rate of infection and repeat breakdown.Wound healing complications are not very common, and are usually easily handled with appropriate wound care and then scar revision if necessary.
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