A Prospective Study of 50 Cases of Abdominal Wound Dehiscence - Etiology&Its Management

BACKGROUND In our study we identify the pre-operative and post operative risk factors causing wound dehiscence and also review its management. OBJECTIVES To assess the various pre operative, post operative risk factors leading to wound dehiscence in patients undergoing emergency and elective abdominal operations and also study its management. METHODOLGY In this study 50 cases of postoperative abdominal wound dehiscence were studied at General Surgery Department, Civil Hospital Rajkot including all the patients greater than10 years who underwent abdominal operation and developed wound dehiscence. RESULTS Incidence rate was 4.9 % with male to female ratio being 41 and most common age group being 31-40 years. Most common preoperative factors were anemia and cough while wound infection was most common post operative factor and dehiscence mainly occurred on 7th day. Those treated with immediate suturing had early recovery while those treated conservatively or delayed suturing had prolonged hospitalization. CONCLUSION Factors like older age group, male sex, anaemia, peritonitis and those who had undergone emergency operation, improper suture technique and improper aseptic precautions lead to wound dehiscence. Patients who developed wound dehiscence were managed either conservatively / immediate / delayed suturing of the wound or re-laparotomy was done.