infected incision...

BSNC
BSNC Member Posts: 14
edited March 2014 in Colorectal Cancer #1
surgery was 3 weeks ago today. 10 days after surgery I ended up in the ER w/an infection in the upper part of my incision (incision was from pubic bone to just below belly button). ER doc cleaned it up (after removing most of my staples) stuffed me w/gauze and sent me home. "This happens in 10% of all colorectal surgeries" was his comment. Back to the surgeon earlier this week and he had to open up 2 other areas of my incision because of bacteria/infection there too. So....

How long did it take to heal the wound for those of you who encounted this? Otherwise I feel fine, but this incision deal is a "pain in the gut" (not butt). Let me know and thanks! Brian.

Comments

  • Shandle
    Shandle Member Posts: 204
    #2
    Ooohhh...my gosh! 10%? I wasn't aware of that. I guess I was lucky. But I was in the hospital for 7 days following my surgery. I was given antibiotics via IV..(along with my liquid meat & potato diet) I was also sent home with antibiotics which I took until I finished them. I did the sponge bath thing until the staples were removed, and kept the incision very clean. I sure hope you don't have any more problems. Take it easy Brian. ~ Wanda
  • angel33
    angel33 Member Posts: 2
    #3
    BRIAN,
    DID YOUR DOCTOR GIVE YOU ANTIBIOTICS? I HOPE SO. IF YOU STILL HAVE SIGNS OF INFECTION, YOU MIGHT WANT TO ASK THE DOCTOR WHETHER THEY NEED TO DO A CULTURE OF THE WOUND....OTHERWISE, IT SHOULD START TO HEAL AS LONG AS YOU'RE DOING THE CARE THAT THEY ASK YOU TO....I'M SORRY YOU'RE HAVING A TOUGH TIME....KEEP YOU CHIN UP AND STAY POSITIVE!/angel
  • Moesimo
    Moesimo Member Posts: 1,072 Member
    #4
    Hi,
    I had surgery on 1/14/05 and when the staples were removed there was an opening in my incision that had to be packed. When I was about 1 mos. postop another area had to be opened , also on a trip to the ER. I received antibiotics in the hosp. and also took some after my ER trip. I still have 2 small open areas that I pack twice a day since then. They seem to be stubborn and haven't closed. I don't have any pain and they don't interfere with me working full time.
    I hope this helps.
    My surgeon said time will heal it.

    Maureen
  • Kanort
    Kanort Member Posts: 1,272 Member
    #5
    Hi Brian,

    I'm sorry for your infection. I was lucky as my surgeon said that my colon was very pliable....whatever that means. My incision is only about four inches long. Everyone else seems to have been really opened up. I was out shopping six days after surgery. Of course, I ended up with a bowel obstruction two weeks later, so I probably would have benefitted from staying still longer.

    Heal well,

    Kay
  • painter
    painter Member Posts: 1
    #6
    Brian, I'm brand new responding to this site but have been learning from it for a few days. I too had an infected incision while in the hospital after my colon resection on 2/14. They said 10-15% get infected - it's a dirty operation.

    They opened me up again to drain and pack-2/17. Sent me home afer nine days in the hospital with nurses showing up twice a day to repack. Then they got approval for a Wound Vac which sucks air out to enhance healing-got it working about 3/10.

    My wound was five inches long, 1 1/2 wide, and 1 1/2 deep (sorry about the details). It was closed (healed) on 4/8.

    Now I go for chemo - stage 3B.

    Send me an email if you have more questions.

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