Abdul Rashid Zai, Ghulam Shabbir Shah, Bilqees Iftikhar Khawaja, Raheela Bilal Shaikh.
Wound dehiscence: still a challenge for surgeons.
Med Channel Jan ;17(2):50-2.

Background: A variety of procedures are performed in both General Surgery and Gynecological and Obstetrical settings among which exploratory laparotomy is a common one. A number of indications are there for exploratory laparotomy in both specialties; however complications remain the same and wound dehiscence is one of most devastating. Wound dehiscence which can be complete or partial is a challenge for surgeons. The aim of this study was to find out the frequency of wound dehiscence in patient who underwent exploratory laparotomy both settings. Methodology: This multicenter prospective comparative study was conducted from Jan 2009 to December 2009. Hundred patients of both genders admitted and operated in emergency and elective surgical ward of Bhittai General Hospital, Hyderabad and Department of Gynecology & Obstetrics, Muhammad Medical College, Mirpurkhas were included in this study after obtaining informed consent. Sampling technique used was non-probability convenience sampling. Fifty patients were randomized into two groups A & B each. Patients with abdominal traumatic wound were randomized into group A. Fifty patients operated for elective general surgery and OBG were included in Group B. Results: A total of 100 patients were included in this and randomized into two equal groups of 50 patients each. Out of 100 patients 12 patients (12%) had wound dehiscence. A total of 4 patients (4%) had widespread wound dehiscence whereas 8 patients (8%) had incomplete wound dehiscence. In this study 3 patients (6%) patients were having burst abdomen in Group-A out of which 2 (4%) were male and 1 (2%) was female. Whereas 5 patients (10%) had burst abdomen in Group-B out of which 3 (6%) were male and 2 (4%) were female. Conclusion: Many origins of wound dehiscence are avoidable. By optimizing systemic parameters of patient especially with regarding to effective and judicial control of infection and nutritional status, frequency of wound dehiscence can be controlled.

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