Abdominal wounds arise from planned surgical operations or from trauma to the area below the rib cage down to the pelvic bone. According to the National Cancer Institute, an abdominal wound can be a serious wound if the sterile peritoneal cavity opens to the skin area. The Anatomy Atlases describe the peritoneal cavity as including the area around the intestines, the stomach and the liver.
Abdominal Wound Caused by Trauma
If the intestines protrude through the abdominal wall, the intestines need covered with sterile gauze or a clean dry cloth. According to the Army Study Guide, refrain from touching exposed intestines or removing any foreign bodies in the wound to prevent further bleeding or damage to the site. Trauma victims require transportation by emergency medical services as soon as physically possible.
Abdominal Wound from a Surgical Procedure
According to "World Wide Wounds," a well-prepared wound bed exhibits adequate blood supply to the site, demonstrates stability of the wound bed with stitches, tape or staples in place and produces little or no drainage. Wounds after surgical procedures usually met these criteria for a healthy wound bed.
Do not give individuals with abdominal wounds any food or drink unless cleared by a surgical provider. Once individuals can ingest food, the "Wound Repair and Regeneration" in 2008 describes the specific food intake as necessary for the healing of wounds. The food pyramid described by the United States Department of Agriculture outlines the required nutrients.
Complex Open Abdominal Wound
Wounds with perforation of the intestines or rupture of the abdominal aorta create an emergency medical situation requiring immediate surgery. Obtain assistance of the emergency medical services as quickly as possible.
Abdominal Wound Complications
According to "Advanced Skin and Wound Care," if complications occur, the problems arise within three weeks of the wound appearance. "Schwartz's Principle of Surgery," describes bleeding as the major complication within the first 48 hours after surgery. Infection follows bleeding as the next complication to impede the process of healing. The European Journal of Surgery in 2001 indicated the complication of dehiscence occurs less frequent, but when it does take place, it increases the death rate to 40 percent. Dehiscence describes the process of the wound breaking open and exposing the bowel. The complications need to be addressed before the organized process of healing can proceed.
Factors Hindering Wound Healing
M. G. Franz, MD from the Department of Surgery at the University of Michigan outlined factors hindering wound healing in his guidelines published in "Wound Repair and Regeneration" in 2008. Major factors delaying the process of healing include chemotherapeutic agents, cigarette smoking, corticosteroids, diabetes, jaundice and malnutrition.
References
- The Army Study Guide: Applying a Dressing to an Open Abdominal Wound
- "Schwartz's Principle of Surgery"; F. C. Brunicardi, M.D. et al.; 2010
- "World Wide Wounds"; "Wound Bed Preparation"; K. Vowden, R.N. & P. Vowden, M.D.; 2002
- "Wound Repair and Regeneration"; "Guidelines to Aid Healing of Acute Wounds by Decreasing Impediments of Healing"; M. G. Franz, M.D., et al.; 2008
- "Advanced Skin and Wound Care"; "Peristomal Skin Complications and Management"; Kevin Woo, PhD, et al; 2009
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