A prospective study of risk factors for abdominal wound dehiscence

Abstract

Background: Dehiscence of abdominal wound is easily the most notorious complication observed in abdominal surgery. This study was conducted on 50 patients of abdominal wound dehiscence admitted and treated in department of general surgery at Nair charitable hospital for 1 year and a follow up period of 6 months to elucidate factors contributing to disruption and incidence of abdominal wound dehiscence in different types of incision. Methods: Fifty patients who have developed abdominal wound dehiscence or having bowel protrusion after any abdominal incisions for either emergency or elective abdominal operations were included in the study. Results: Abdominal wound dehiscence was most commonly seen in age group of 41- 60 years (40%) followed by 21-40 years (34%). Males (56%) were found to be more affected than females (44%). It was more common in emergency surgeries (56%) compared to elective surgeries (44%). Cholelithiasis (18%) was the most common disease associated with wound dehiscence followed by appendicitis (16%) and ileal perforation (12%). Vertical midline (70%) was the most common type of incision associated with wound dehiscence followed by Kocher’s incision (18%) and Mcburney’s incision (10%). Conclusions: Factors like anaemia, malnutrition, obesity, diabetes mellitus and cough and surgery factors like type of surgery (elective/emergency), underlying disease and type of incision, type of closure, suturing material and suturing method play important role in development of wound infection and subsequently development of wound dehiscence.