Wound Dehiscence

Wound dehiscence is the partial or complete separation of the layers of a surgical wound along the incision line, most often occurring in the first one to two weeks after an operation. It happens when the tissue or sutures holding a wound closed fail, due to factors such as infection, poor nutrition, obesity, diabetes, increased abdominal pressure from coughing or straining, or technical problems with wound closure. A dehisced wound can range from a minor skin separation to a complete opening of the abdominal wall, the latter a surgical emergency that risks exposing internal organs. Management ranges from wound care and dressing changes for minor cases to repeat surgical closure for more severe dehiscence, alongside treating any underlying infection or contributing medical condition.