Wound Repair

Wounds can arise from myriad sources.  Patients that have traumatic injuries that haven’t healed well all the way to chronic wounds as a result of diabetes may be candidates for wound repair.  Patients may be seen as an inpatient while hospitalized or as an outpatient if referred from a specialty wound clinic or their primary care physician.

What benefits can wound repair give me?

Wound repair may provide a chance to have a wound closed in a more expeditious fashion than allowing it to heal on its own.  Chronic wounds can plague a patient for weeks to months and often can be burdensome mentally, financially, and in terms of how much time it consumes.  Surgery to close the wounds can help to give a patient their life back and get them back to doing the things they enjoy as well as lowering the risk of poor scarring or infection.

What can I expect during wound repair surgery?

Simple wounds can be closed with sutures, however larger or more extensive wounds may require skin grafts from other areas of the body to cover a larger surface.  Sometimes flap surgery using your body’s own tissue may be used to provide a more natural appearance by replacing the defect with similar tissue.

Your doctor may want to stage your surgery in more than one single operation to improve the chances of success.  This is often done in long-standing wounds with heavy bacterial contamination to minimize the risk for infection after wound repair.

Is wound repair surgery right for me?

To determine whether or not wound repair surgery is the right procedure for you, schedule a consultation with one of our board-certified plastic surgeons. During your visit, your doctor will speak with you about the goals you have for your appearance. In addition to deciding on your treatment plan, your doctor will also ask you about your medical history. Bring a list of medications, supplements and vitamins you take, and have a list prepared of the questions or concerns you may have, as being open with our specialists is key to a safe and successful surgery.