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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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What Causes The Surgical Wound To Reopen?

had stitches removed from my right upper arm, yesterday. Stitches were applied 1 week prior to yesterday. when I woke up this morning , I noticed blood on my shirt. Noticed that the wound had reopened, from a 3 stitch procedure. The wound has now opened to 3/16 wide X 3/8 long, which was about the length of the original opening. what should we do, to minimize the scarring?
posted on Tue, 9 Feb 2016
Twitter Thu, 24 Mar 2016 Answered on
Twitter Mon, 28 Mar 2016 Last reviewed on
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Pathologist and Microbiologist,  's  Response
Hello and welcome to HCM,
Re-opening of wound suggests improper healing of the wound.
One week is generally sufficient to allow a surgical wound to heal up.
However, re-opening of surgical wound suggests improper healing.
Infection during healing period, high blood sugar or excessive stretching of the wound can lead to re-opening of the wound.
Diabetics are prone to prolonged healing period of any wound and this is because high blood glucose interferes will proper healing of wound.
You need to consult your surgeon for clinical assessment of wound.
gaping up or re-opening up of the wound needs to be repaired.
There is risk of bleeding and infection in the opened up wound.

Thanks and take care
Dr Shailja Puri

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What Causes The Surgical Wound To Reopen?

Hello and welcome to HCM, Re-opening of wound suggests improper healing of the wound. One week is generally sufficient to allow a surgical wound to heal up. However, re-opening of surgical wound suggests improper healing. Infection during healing period, high blood sugar or excessive stretching of the wound can lead to re-opening of the wound. Diabetics are prone to prolonged healing period of any wound and this is because high blood glucose interferes will proper healing of wound. You need to consult your surgeon for clinical assessment of wound. gaping up or re-opening up of the wound needs to be repaired. There is risk of bleeding and infection in the opened up wound. Thanks and take care Dr Shailja Puri