What is wound dehiscence after surgery?
Wound dehiscence is when a surgical wound partly or fully opens along the incision. After cosmetic surgery it happens most often after tummy tucks, arm lifts and breast surgery. Common causes are infection, fat necrosis, tension on the wound and smoking.
Is it normal for a tummy tuck scar to open?
Small, superficial openings can happen and often heal with dressings. But any opening, discharge or worsening should be checked by a specialist, ideally within days.
What is VAC therapy for wounds?
VAC therapy, also called negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT), uses a sealed foam dressing connected to a small pump that applies gentle suction. It removes fluid, reduces swelling and encourages healthy granulation tissue, which helps deep wounds close. Portable versions such as PICO let patients go home or travel. Laboratory and clinical studies show that the gentle suction stretches cells at a microscopic level, which stimulates cell growth and new blood vessels[1,2,3], and that it can draw the body's own progenitor (stem) cells into the healing process[4,5,6].
I had surgery abroad and my wound is not healing. Can I be treated in Dubai?
Yes. Dr Sanjay's team at Dubai London Hospital sees patients who had surgery in other countries, including patients transiting through Dubai. Send photos and your operation details on WhatsApp for a first review.
How long does a wound take to heal with VAC therapy?
It depends on the wound's size, depth and cause. In the two cases shown on this page, the tummy tuck wound and the arm lift wound each healed in about 4 weeks.
What is hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) for wounds?
In HBOT, the patient breathes pure oxygen inside a pressurised chamber. This raises oxygen levels in the tissues, which can help wounds with poor blood supply, such as skin necrosis after a facelift, to heal.
What is necrotising fasciitis after cosmetic surgery?
Necrotising fasciitis is a rare but life-threatening infection, often called “flesh-eating bacteria”, that spreads quickly along the tissue layers under the skin. It needs emergency antibiotics and surgery. Once the infection is controlled, the remaining wounds can often be closed with specialist wound care, as in one of the cases on this page.
Why do wounds heal slowly after surgery?
Common reasons include diabetes, low protein, low iron or anaemia, smoking, infection, poor blood supply and pressure or tension on the wound. Correcting these is often as important as the dressing itself.
Why does my wound keep discharging after breast reduction?
A common cause is a suture granuloma, where the body reacts to a buried stitch or knot and pushes it out through the scar. Antibiotics do not fix this. Removing the stitch usually lets the wound heal within days.
Can a black nipple after breast reduction recover without surgery?
Sometimes, yes. If the black scab (eschar) is dry and there is no surrounding infection, it can protect the tissue underneath while the area heals from its own stem cells. With careful dressings and, where suitable, PRP, the nipple and areola can regenerate without a skin graft. It must be assessed by a specialist, because an infected or wet eschar needs different treatment.
Can I get advice on my wound online?
Yes. Send clear photos and a short description on WhatsApp. The team can review them and, in some cases, guide care remotely, as in the shin burn case on this page. Most wounds still need an in-person examination to confirm the plan.
Can a large wound be closed without a skin graft?
Often, yes. If the surrounding skin is healthy, it can be gently mobilised and held with anchoring sutures while VAC therapy helps it advance over the wound. This avoids the extra wound and scar that a skin graft donor site creates. Whether it is possible depends on the wound and is decided after examination.
