72 INCH long wound!

Published

Got to go down and help/observe in wound care today... twas very educational. There was a 72 inch long wound by about 15 inches tall and maybe 3 inches deep. The wound did not go past adipose tissue, that I could tell anyhow, but it did involve tunneling on both ends. Does this pt have a chance of survival? They are trying to let it heal by secondary intention w/vacuum seal. I just couldn't believe my eyes. It was strange (and smelly) to see someone with a wound like this alive and, for the most part, not in pain.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in cardiac med-surg.

you gotta splain a lil more about this very intriguing 6 ft wound please ?

from where to where ?

and how ?

Up Vote Up Vote ×

wow that is a big wound how did the pt get a wound that big? and where is the wound located?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Med-Surg/Peds/O.R./Legal/cardiology.

72in. wound??? Must be a huge person. What in the world???? :uhoh3:

ebear

Up Vote Up Vote ×

must be u-shaped?

longest wound i've ever seen, was the length of pt's spine.

spinal cord became infected, r/t hardware in back.

surgeons had to remove hardware, and all surrounding tissue.

wound was approx 6" wide, depth to spinal cord and length of back.

i remember 3 doctors packing wound, all without gloves.

(i was sn in nsg school)

leslie

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ICU.

How does a wound get to be 72" inches long and 15 inches tall? It would have to double back on itself almost 4 times........Next question is what on earth would do that except possibly a paper shredder. I saw all kinds of strange wounds on the battlefield but nothing like that.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Utilization Review.

Are you sure you don't mean 72 centimeters?

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I kinda feel like I am somehow violating HIPPA by explaining anymore b/c it is such a one of a kind type of wound; however, it was a very obese person and it went from side to side.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

definitely inches. could have used meter sticks to measure it.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in acute care.

sorry, I keep seeing r/t and can't for the life of me figure out what it means. someone pls tell me...

BTW: I think wounds are so fascinating, at least the ones I've come across

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Acute Care Psych, DNP Student.

r/t = related to?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
r/t = related to?

yes, darlin.:)

leslie

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion