Wound packing

Hi ladies,  started leaking from the incision, but it looked like water and blood -
Doctor packed it with something and then a visiting nurse will come here tomorrow
Then on Friday I go to a wound care center
They will re-pack it
Then every 2 days I go in to get the dressing changed and smaller until the packing is on the outside of me instead of any left inside
The doctor said when this is happening it means the wound was so large and so internal that the healing has to happen from the inside out.

Ever hear of this?

Scared me with watery blood leaking out.   Soaked through lots of paper towels before I got to him -

thanks for any input!

Carol

[ireneo]

Yes, I've had to do the same thing to the animals at work. We've had beavers in with deep puncture wounds and Bald Eagles with barbed wire injuries. The wounds sometimes have a drain in them or packing. I have to pull the packing, flush the wound and repack. What happens is the tissue "granulates" back in. It will grow back from the inside to the outside. Like filling a hole with sand till you reach the top. Perfectly normal. So is the leaking fluid from the wound. Just watch for yellowish ooze, redness, swelling or bad odor. Not normal.

[earthquakewp1]

I had a c-section that got infected (severely) and I had to be stuffed for ten months. But, it doesn't sound like you have an infection, just a deep wound..but I'm not a Dr. either. Ask him...If you don't have any infection, it will heal fast, and if you aren't overweight. Mine was kind of a mechanical reason as well..too much fat..lol
Like ireneo said, watch for redness, discoloration in the fluid, and a foul odor. Those are signs of infection.

[Carol139]

Thanks!
He didn't say how long this would take.  Mother in law said her mom had something liek that happen and it took 2 months to heal.

Could that be right?  

Ireneo - sounds like a great job!  

I knew i didn't have an infection (at least not yet) as the water was clear, no smell and it was bright red blood.

But, will look for the redness, ooze and odor

Earthquakewp1 -  how on earth did they let you get infected from a c-section. You poor thing, taking care of a baby - and that.   10 months - yuck.

I am overweight, he said this might work to my advantage to hold it closed. :~)


Thank you, guys!
Carol

[Cagney2712]

I had a TAH/BSO in Feb., 2007. After my staples were removed, the lower half of the incision opened up a bit. It leaked clear fluid for about 2 weeks after the surgery.  It was oozing so much for the first several days that regular surgical gauze pads weren't enough, & I had to use super kotex pads to cover the incision, and it soaked them .  Rather than pack the incision, my gyn. onc. opted to simply tape the incision closed while it healed from the inside.  I had to change the tape daily, and would then place the pad over the incision between it and my underpants to soak up the leakage. It gradually slowed until there was no more oozing. My incision healed up just fine,  but had to do so from the inside so it took a bit longer.
Karen

[wadeover]

Your doctor is right. It has to heal from the inside out.  My mom had surgery for OVCa on Nov. 15, '07 and she got an infection in her incision.  They had to remove some of the staples and she had an opening that was about 4" long and 2-3" deep.  She has to have the dressings changed twice a day and now it has gotten so small you can't even fit the tip of your thumb into the hole.  It is a long process, but it will heal.  You have to keep it very clean to prevent further infection.  The reason they pack it is to keep air pockets from forming while the healing is taking place.  Air pockets can cause bad problems if they occur.  My mom's doctor said getting an infection in an incision that big from a sugrery that involves the abdomen and bowel area is not uncommon.  You just have to be patient and take good care of the wound.  The home health care nurses measure the size of the wound each time they come.  My dad changes the packing inbetween their visits.  It will get smaller - it will just take time.  Good Luck!

[Carol139]

Hi, thanks all.

NO Nurse came today - leaking - but I keep changing it with paper towels. I didn't touch the doctor's dressing, it is coming out the bottom

Going at 8 AM to the wound care center.   They will pack it then

The incision was 14" long - but 7" is open - not sure how deep at this point.  They will tell me tomorrow, I bet.

Still not bad smelling, so, hoping I am getting away without an infection.

I'll let you know!

Thanks again,

Carol

[Carol139]

back from the wound care center.
7" long but only 2 1/2" deep.  2 " at the widest.
Sending me a home vac system.
My husband has to change the dressing every other day - and I go to the wound center next friday.
The doctor did a debrie -(rough it up to injure the tissue) today -
Silver paper -
Cologen inserts
Packed it
Put bandage and taped it up

Pretty sore again, but tolerable.

He could not give me a time line to get healed up but said I am young, no diabetes and that the tissue looks good.

Thanks to all who helped and if anyone has any other suggestions, let me know.

Carol