Causes of undermining/tunneling

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Specializes in oncology.

Does anybody know what causes tunneling or undermining in a wound?

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undermining and tunneling are caused by being dragged across the bed instead of being lifted. sometimes it will also be caused by infection. I have seen tunneling that leads to a abscess in a surgical wound. Undermining is the result of shearing which is when the skin sticks to the bed and the muscle and subq tissue moves and tears tissue, vessels. hope this helps!!

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Specializes in oncology.

Thank you for responding back. My wound book didn't say how it was caused. Much appreciated!

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