title: Abdominal wound dehiscence.
abstract: Abdominal wound dehiscence is a surgical complication with a high morbidity rate but which is associated with predictable and preventable factors. During a 10 year period (1966 to 1975) at the New York Lying-In Hospital, 70 cases were found on the obstetric-gynecologic service, and these cases were analyzed to see why dehiscence remains a problem. Those factors contributing to dehiscence include obesity, pre-existing pulmonary and cardiovascular problems, vertical incisions, the triad of ileus, vomiting, and coughing, and, to a lesser extent, hypoproteinemia, fluid and electrolyte imbalance, and wound infection. The incidence of abdominal wound dehiscence would be much lower if high-risk patients were identified, adequate pulmonary toilet was used, ileus was promptly treated with abdominal decompression, and strict attention was paid to electrolyte and protein balance in the pre- and post-operative period. The management of abdominal wound dehiscence is also discussed.
mesh_terms: D000005:Abdomen / Q000601:surgery*; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002369:Castration; D002585:Cesarean Section; D005187:Fallopian Tubes / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D005431:Florida; D006801:Humans; D007044:Hysterectomy; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000150:complications; D011247:Pregnancy; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013529:Surgical Wound Dehiscence / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000401:mortality / Q000601:surgery; D013530:Surgical Wound Infection / Q000209:etiology; D014882:Water-Electrolyte Balance