72 INCH long wound!

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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.

Specializes in ltc.

wow i think 5 people already answered r/t before i did lol..... i didnt realize there was already 3 pages of replies... before i left home earlier we were still on page one..... lol i need to pay more attention:monkeydance:

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I have seen wounds that look like shark bites that have healed. (was a cancer doc that used to do very radical, last hope surgery,incisions were unreal) He must be post bariatric surgical pt with wound infection. If he survives the complications(sepsis,etc,,,) the wound could very well heal. I love gross wounds,,,,

I actually lol'ed to "I love gross wounds"

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Specializes in ICU.

Lori I can appreciate your concerns with HIPAA compliance, but with a population of 300 million people I think your safe describing the wound.................

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Sounds very challenging? I'd be interested in finding out what else they are doing for the wound. What type of dietary supplements etc.

I love a good wound

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Specializes in med/surg.

You lot are gross:lol2: Should add to the "you know you're a nurse" thing - "you know you're a nurse when the more gross the wound the more excited you get!!"

I like my patients with nice clean suture lines personally :D

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Specializes in ICU, SDU, OR, RR, Ortho, Hospice RN.

Ok I want details details and details... Where on earth is that wound?

AND how on earth did they get something so big as that? Caught in some machinery or what?

Come on give us the low down LOL

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Pt had an extremely large tumor in his/her large abdomen that was going to eventually lead to his/her death. Pt couldn't get a Dr. to do the surgery to remove it b/c of the insanely high risk of the actual surgery. Finally found a Dr. that would do it and, of course, it dehissed. The pt went to the ER and was basically made a side show b/c of how intrigued all medical personel were to see a wound of that size. Pt now comes in as outpatient every other day. I dont know what tx's besides the wound vac b/c I was only observing and helping with actual dressing change. It goes from side to side but since it is so rounded on the front it is just very large. She loses between 50-100 ml of fluid qH from the drain. Just so sad/crazy to see someone living and seemingly well, for now anyway, with a wound of this size. No guts hang out of it. It looked like the inside of a plum pretty much all across. Of course, some patches of yellow, some of black and some of red, and several dimples/indentions throughout as well. It took over an hour to put the new packing and wound vac on.

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why can't he get hh services?

leslie

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I dunno. Seems to be doing fine right now though.

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I need a picture...........

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Specializes in NICU, Psych, Education.

deleted by OP

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