Good incision care can help ensure that it heals well and infection doesn't develop. In most cases, a surgical incision heals in about two weeks. More complex surgical incisions will take longer to heal. If you have other medical conditions or are taking certain medications, your healing time may differ.
Healing depends on your general health and the type of surgery you had. Large or deep surgery incisions can take 6 to 8 weeks to heal. People with medical problems or prescribed certain medications may take longer.
Wound healing is classically divided into 4 stages: (A) hemostasis, (B) inflammation, (C) proliferation, and (D) remodeling. Each stage is characterized by key molecular and cellular events and is coordinated by a host of secreted factors that are recognized and released by the cells of the wounding response.
Wounds need to be covered so that they can heal properly. When a wound is left uncovered, the new surface cells that are being created can easily dry out. When these important cells dry out, it tends to slow down the healing process. A wound should be covered using a clean bandage.
Pain in and around your incision may last for up to several weeks, but it should gradually get better as the days progress. Horizontal or "thoracotomy" incisions generally take longer to feel totally normal because of the location of the incision and the amount of muscle tissue that is divided during the surgery.
You'll see some changes in your scar. It will go from looking thick, red, and raised to thinner, flatter, and more like your usual skin color.
Dehiscence is a partial or total separation of previously approximated wound edges, due to a failure of proper wound healing. This scenario typically occurs 5 to 8 days following surgery when healing is still in the early stages.
During the healing process, your body's red blood cells carry new cells to the site to begin rebuilding tissue. Poor blood circulation can slow down this process, making the wound that much longer to heal. Chronic conditions, such as diabetes and obesity, can cause poor blood circulation.
A non-healing surgical wound can occur after surgery when a wound caused by an incision doesn't heal as expected. This is usually caused by infection – a rare but serious complication. Causes of poor wound-healing depend on the type and location of the procedure, health condition and other factors.
Caring for the Wound
Use a normal saline solution (salt water) or mild soapy water. Soak the gauze or cloth in the saline solution or soapy water, and gently dab or wipe the skin with it. Try to remove all drainage and any dried blood or other matter that may have built up on the skin.
Itching is a natural part of the body's healing process. When the skin is injured, the body sends blood cells to the area to repair the damage. These cells release substances that cause inflammation and itchiness, a sign that the healing process is underway.
It is completely normal for your incision to have a scab. This is a good indication that your incision is healing, as a scab is an early part of the process that fills in the incision with new skin and tissue, closing the wound. If pus or fluid is oozing from your incision, it's important to alert your surgeon.
It is very normal to have swelling around the incision, often for a few weeks. The incision also may feel lumpy or and the skin may feel hard – this is all normal and will go away as everything heals.
Wound dehiscence is a surgery complication where the incision, a cut made during a surgical procedure, reopens. It is sometimes called wound breakdown, wound disruption, or wound separation. Partial dehiscence means that the edges of an incision have pulled apart in one or more small areas.
Pain is an essential indicator of poor wound healing and should not be underestimated. Pain can occur from the disease process, surgery, trauma, infection or as a result of dressing changes and poor wound management practices.
The most common cause of surgical scar pain after surgery is a nerve that is injured or stuck in scar tissue. You may not only experience pain from scar tissue, but may also have swelling, itching, and increased sensitivity.
Pain and swelling: Incision pain and swelling are often worst on day 2 and 3 after surgery. The pain should slowly get better during the next 1 to 2 weeks. Redness: Mild redness along the incision is common. It should gradually get better and go away.
During the deepest phases of sleep, blood flow to muscles increases. Since blood carries oxygen and nutrients, this helps the muscles heal. In many cases, cells are regenerated by this increased flow of blood.
Is betadine good for wound healing? Betadine is ideal for minor wounds, cuts, abrasions, and injuries. It is an antiseptic that kills or slows the growth of infection-causing microorganisms. As a home remedy, betadine prevents wound infection.
A moist environment has been proven to facilitate the healing process of the wound by preventing dehydration and enhancing angiogenesis and collagen synthesis together with increased breakdown of dead tissue and fibrin. This improves the aesthetics of the wound, while decreasing pain.