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Posted 10/2/2013 7:06 PM (GMT 0)
So it's almost six months to the day when I had my ileostomy surgery. Yet I still have a portion of the incision site that refuses to completely close up....

Any tips, tricks, or products, that will finally finish this darned thing off? The wound isn't itchy or painful - it just doesn't seem to be making any progress. The only thing I do is cover it with an abdominal pad once per day when I shower in the morning.
Posted 10/4/2013 1:57 AM (GMT 0)
Have you talked to a nurse or doctor about it? There are lots of different dressings, and there's also a wound vac which can help a lot. But it seems like someone would have to evaluate your specific wound to know what to recommend.
Posted 10/4/2013 8:11 PM (GMT 0)
Yes - the wound was addressed by my doctor when I went in for my check-up a few weeks ago. They used some silver-nitrate to burn away some "granulomas" and said to check back in a month. It's almost a month later, so starting to feel some urgency to solve the problem so I don't have to go back in.

They used no stitches/sutures, but they did use a wound vac while I was in the hospital. Hurt like hell when they changed the dressing, but it worked beautifully.

I should clarify - this portion is extremely small - less than inch. I've had bigger scratches from my g/f's cat :p. The problem is, it just doesn't go completely away for whatever reason.
Posted 10/4/2013 8:55 PM (GMT 0)
Hey Duque, did you have a WOCN (Wound, Ostomy, Continence Nurse) look at it? The young lady who took care of me was excellent and I think lots of them are. IMHO they're better at ostomy advice than doctors. They're probably as good with wound treatment.
Wish you the best,
Mike
Posted 10/5/2013 1:42 AM (GMT 0)
Is it wet or dry? One WOCN told me the basic principle of wound care is if it's wet, make it dry, and if it's dry, make it wet. I used silver alginate when mine was wet and silvadene cream when it was dry... .my problem is a bit different as the issue is location (butt wound) and it kind of healed funny.... but maybe one of those could help you.

Any signs of infection?
Posted 10/5/2013 8:52 PM (GMT 0)
Here's a picture of the problem area (circled):

https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B88WDgMZekdGTXBVM25mLU9Mdkk/edit?usp=sharing

I'm not sure if it's necessarily wet or dry - it just is. It doesn't seem like it's infected - no pain, itchiness, etc.

Post Edited (TheDuque) : 10/5/2013 3:46:38 PM (GMT-6)

Posted 10/6/2013 10:56 AM (GMT 0)
Sorry, just don't know enough.... I'm not a nurse, just know about the wound i had (which was in a place I couldn't even see....)

Hope you can get some help.... does seem to be just a small portion.
Posted 10/6/2013 5:53 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks for trying, at least.

I've thought about buying some tongue depressors and laying that across my wound. This would elevate the abdominal pad and keep it from settling in the affected area. I've always thought a lot of the problem has been the pad settles in there and prevents it from closing. Then when i take it off in the shower, everything comes with it....
Posted 10/6/2013 8:25 PM (GMT 0)
I had a foot long open incision that was left open to heal and it never quite healed right. It was like that for 4 months. Then, I had my take down and the incision was reopened and a plastic suregon closed it back up and it healed properly. May be covered under insurance if the wound isn't healing on its own. Good luck!
Posted 10/7/2013 5:26 PM (GMT 0)
I had the exact same issue, though below the navel. Initially had the wound vac when hospitalized. Once home, used aquacel. Denied the wound vac, for various reasons. Aquacel worked it's magic in 2 months, with a small exception. The small opening was dry, so I just kept it moist by once a day applying antibacterial cream and covering it up with a thin 4*4 mesh gauze. Not to be confused with the 4*4 sponges or ABD pad (too thick and there wasn't anymore seepage). It closed up in another month.

But your going on 6 months now. Over a month since the granulomas were treated, with no result. My surgeon (and from what others have stated) are not that knowledgeable about wound care. My suggestion is a WOCN or a plastic surgeon that specializes in wound care. Many of us here had to go that route.

Good Luck!!!
Posted 10/7/2013 10:55 PM (GMT 0)
Yeah, I think I'll go see the WOCN rather than the surgeon this time around. I'm setting a mental deadline of October 15th. If I don't see significant progress by then, I'm setting the appointment.
Posted 11/20/2013 3:29 PM (GMT 0)
Is the abdominal pad waterproof and secure? Its best to leave the wound untouched and free of any potential irritants so it can heal properly. Make sure you are not doing any strenuous chores or exercising. I was experiencing the same issue and was recommended to try Tegaderm wound dressings. They are waterproof but not so secure that your wound can't breath. Personally, I have had a good experience and think this has helped my wound heal fully.
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