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Incision split open

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Posted 12/6/2012 9:25 AM (GMT 0)
Hi All!
I am 8 days post take down. It seems to be getting worse rather than better. This morning I noticed that my incision has split open. Is this normal??
Posted 12/6/2012 11:23 AM (GMT 0)
No I don't think so. How bad is the split? does is feel hot and sore? could be infected. You should go back to your Dr asap. Good luck
Posted 12/7/2012 1:14 AM (GMT 0)
It's too early for staple removal. Did he use glue or something?

If it was open and stapled, they often put a strip of tape stuff in the incision and remove it after a couple of days. Makes for a wide scar which seems open but is really only open a tiny bit on the surface, not deep like a hernia.

I was left with a part of one incision, in the middle of it, left without staples but no drain tube. It drained for a week and a half then stopped by itself. It never really seemed "open" though. It was great to shower without covering it with plastic wrap.
Posted 12/7/2012 1:42 AM (GMT 0)
If your incision has opened, or is opening, you need to be seen immediately. If the incision opens up too much, the muscle layer may be pulled open and your intestines can poke out of the opening which is a life threatening emergency. Call your surgeon or the resident on call and ask them what they want you to do. If you can't get in touch with anyone, go to the ER.
Posted 12/7/2012 4:18 AM (GMT 0)
earthchick... you said "seems to be getting worse rather than better." It is my belief that anytime during a recovery if you think you are getting worse than better.. it is time to immediately contact your doctor. If you can't get ahold of your surgeon, go to the ER. Better to be safe than sorry.
Posted 12/7/2012 6:15 AM (GMT 0)
I would definitely get it checked out ASAP. My mid-line incision opened up in about a 1-inch section 10 days after my ileostomy surgery. It really only looked like the superficial layers so I decided to wait it out the weekend before going in to see my surgeon on a Monday. By the end of the weekend, it had extended another inch. My surgeon examined it and discovered that the opening extended through the muscle wall. I could not tell this just by looking at it. He scheduled me for immediate surgery and repaired it. Fortunately, it was caught before it was big enough to cause any issues, but had I waited, it could have been very serious. The incision likely opened due to prednisone negatively influencing my body's ability to heal. In retrospect, one clue that it had opened up very deeply was that when the incision first split, about a 1/4 cup of clear reddish drainage came out of it and completely soaked my belly and clothing.

Yours may just be superficial, but only your surgeon will be able to tell for sure. Best to get it looked at.
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