Wound Post AVR Surgery

[RAS53]

I had a AVR on May 22nd - after the operation the top end of the wound above the sternum became infected. I was advised to take Flucloxacillin 500mg 24 tablets for 7 days - at the end of the course the wound was still red and slightly pussy so I returned to the Royal Brompton Hospital where I had the operation and they redressed the wound and took a swab. I returned there 4 days later and was given a course of Ciprofloxacin 500mg 10 tablets for 5 days as they had detected pseudomonas in the wound and several dressings which I have used every other day. I have now finished the course of antibiotics and the wound has improved - it looks sealed but it is still slightly red. How long should the wound take to heal?

[stevejb1810]

I had a very small area at the bottom of the sternum which took about 4 weeks to fully heal - the rest sealed/healed perfectly in little over two weeks. I’d say you were a little unlucky with the infection but your overall healing rate hasn’t been dramatically altered by it (based solely on my own experience).

[RAS53 in reply to stevejb1810]

Thank you stevejb for your reply.

I am going to make an appointment with my gp on Monday to get it checked out.

I hope you have a good weekend

[Mary_Janet]

Sounds like you have had a very nasty wound infection and yes that will slow wound healing down. There may some inflammation at the wound edges which is okay. However if there is any discharge , heat or smell you do need to see either your gp or ideally your practice nurse. Also if you have a temperature you need to be reviewed.

Your practice nurse will be able to give you good advice 're wound healing and appropriate dressings if needed. If they think you require more antibiotics they can get easily get a script from the gp or maybe a nurse prescriber themselves. Wounds take a varying time to heal, sometimes a wound mainly heals but the last bit seems to take ages to completely heal.

Ensuring you have a good diet full of protein, fruit and veg full of vitamin C also aids wound healing as does getting plenty of sleep. Best wishes. Mary

[RAS53 in reply to Mary_Janet]

Thank you for your advice. I am eating a diet full of protein ,fruit and vegetables but possibly I could do with more vitamin C.

I am going to book an appointment with my gp to get the wound checked out again.

I hope you have a good weekend.

With best wishes,

Robert.