Complex Wound Care

Complex wound care refers to surgical or non-surgical treatments for serious wounds. There are several different techniques that can be used.

Who Can Benefit From Complex Wound Care?

If you have a serious traumatic wound, pressure ulcer, or other severe wound such as a burn, you may benefit from complex wound care. These treatments take into account your specific circumstances, and the doctor will discuss your best options with you.

What is the Procedure Like?

The treatments for complex wound care include simple wound care, debridement, skin grafts, local tissue flaps, and free tissue transplants.

Simple wound care and debridement involve cleansing bacteria from the wound on a regular basis to ensure that it does not become infected. Special bandages may be used that protect against new bacteria, promote healing of the tissues, and promote new skin growth. This technique is used when surgery is deemed unnecessary or when surgery is not possible. Depending upon the severity of the wound, healing can be a lengthy process.

In the event of a skin graft, a patch of skin is removed from a healthy part of the body and sutured over the wound area. The skin heals both in the new location and where the graft was taken.

A local tissue flap involves taking tissue, including blood vessels, nerves, and sometimes muscle, from an area near the wound. This tissue flap is cut only on three sides and left attached on one side. It is then repositioned over the wound and sutured in place. A free tissue implant involves taking tissue, including blood vessels, nerves, and frequently muscle, from another part of the body and attaching it to the wound area. For most skin grafts, nearly all local tissue flaps, and all free tissue implants, you will be asleep under a general anesthetic during your surgery, which will take place in a hospital. The length of your hospital stay will vary depending upon the type of surgery and the severity of your wound.

What Can I Expect During Recovery?

The doctor will review your case with you and tell you what you can expect during your recovery. Your healing process will be determined by your wound and the type of surgery that is necessary. You will need someone to drive you home after your hospital stay, and you will probably need help around the house for awhile.

If your surgery took place on your arm or leg, for example, you may need help with household tasks during the entire healing process. The doctor will monitor your progress during follow-up visits, and you will be instructed how to wash and change your dressings. You may not be able to bathe for a few days, and you will experience some swelling, bruising, numbness, and pain during the healing process.

The doctor will let you know if an ice pack or elevating the affected area is advised, and you will be given prescriptions for pain medication and an antibiotic. It may be several months before you will be able to see the final results of your surgery, and it may be some time before you experience feeling in the wounded area. When sensation begins to be restored, you are close to the end of your healing process. Physical therapy may also be necessary to restore proper movement.

What Are the Risks of Complex Wound Care?

Complex wound care helps to heal, restore function, and restore normal appearance to damaged tissues. These treatments are generally very safe procedures, but wounds and surgery always carry some risk. These risks include infection, scarring, and blood clots or bleeding, all of which can be treated. In some cases, transplanting tissue may not be successful, and further reconstruction may be necessary.