Have a wound that keeps reopening after 1 year. What should be done? (photo)

Question

Body lift surgery. 2 weeks: cellulitis in the incision in my back (2 rounds of antibiotics) Slowly closed across my back except this one spot. It was drubbing but kept opening and oozing. Since it was still shrinking I waited. 7-8 months: see pcp, get a typical antibiotic, applied for 2 montgs with minimal result. 10 months: strep throat, antibiotics, step throat again, antibiotics. Wound closes. 12 montgs: Wound just reopened and it's oozing again. What can be done?

J. Timothy Katzen, MD, FACS · Answer

Hello, and thank you for your question regarding a wound that keeps reopening after one year and what should be done.  Thank you for your history and your picture.  Your chronic wound appears to be due to "something" underneath the skin.  The "something" under the skin is probably a retained suture.  It could be an undissolved suture, or it could be a permanent suture.  Therefore, most experienced body lift plastic surgeons would suggest that you undergo a local procedure.  The local procedure can be done in the office under local anesthesia.  The area would be numbed with an injectable anesthetic, and the chronic wound would be opened with a scalpel.  There is likely a retained suture at the base of this wound.  The wound should heal by removing the offending "something, " which is probably a permanent suture.  If a foreign body, like a suture, cannot be found, this wound may be a chronic abscess.  If it is a chronic abscess, the wound should be opened and left to heal by secondary intention.  Secondary intention means the wound is opened and left to heal independently without suturing the wound closed.  If the wound did not respond to antibiotics, it further lends support to this wound due to a retained suture.  Most experienced, board-certified plastic surgeons who perform body lifts agree that this is probably a retained suture, not an abscess.  Good luck.  I suggest you follow up with your body lift plastic surgeon. 
If you have any more questions regarding the lower body lift, 360 circumferential lower body lift, belt lipectomy, belt abdominoplasty, or belt dermolipectomy, please contact an experienced plastic surgeon.  Since the body lift is a big procedure, please seek an experienced, board-certified plastic surgeon with significant experience performing the lower body lift.  Do your research.  Ensure they have performed at least 100 circumferential lower body lift surgeries and have the before and after pictures to prove it.  Carefully examine their before and after pictures and check their reviews on RealSelf.   If you cannot find an experienced lower body lift surgeon in your neighborhood, consider traveling out of state.  Sincerely, Dr. Katzen, MD, MBA, FACS, FICS, FASMBS (President of the American Society of Bariatric Plastic Surgeons, certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery, Fellow of the International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, American College of Surgery, and International College of Surgery and member of the American Society of Plastic Surgery, American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery RealSelf Hall of Fame, and RealSelf Doctor Advisory Board for Medical Review and Consumer Panel.)

Larry S. Nichter, MD, MS, FACS · Answer

Your photo and description best describes what is called a pyogenic granuloma due to a foreign body. In your case this is likely to be a retained and infected permanent stitch. Removal is usually curative.#bodyliftcomplication

Gary L. Ross, MBChB, FRCS · Answer

It is very unusual for this to still be occurring at this time unless there is a foreign body / permanent stitch / mesh at the base of the wound. I would suggest an X-ray / ultrasound. It may be that the only way to address this is to excise the area

Curtis Wong, MD · Answer

to have the area incised, debrided and if any permanent sutures were used, to have them removed.  And if it still doesn't heal, the area should be excised and sent for pathology.  Wounds should not be recurring this far after the procedure and the appearances appear classic for retained permanent sutures that have become colonized with bacteria and these wounds will never completely heal without intervention.

Samir Shureih, MD · Answer

You need to see the surgeon, x-ray the area and surgical excision with the antibiotics. If there is any foreign material it needs to be removed surgically

Have a wound that keeps reopening after 1 year. What should be done? (photo)

Answers (5)

Answer: See your surgeon

Answer: See your surgeon

Answer: Non healing wound

Answer: Non healing wound

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Have a wound that keeps reopening after 1 year. What should be done? (photo)

Answers (5)

Answer: See your surgeon

Answer: See your surgeon

Answer: Non healing wound

Answer: Non healing wound

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Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Body Lift

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