OHS wound healing

[PadThaiNoodles]

Just a timeline of one reasonably healthy 60-year-old following double-valve surgery.

Day 3: chest drains removed

Day 4: main incision bandage removed

Day 5: main incision dry; no exudate

Day 19: chest drain sutures removed; partial dehiscence of chest drains

Day 21: chest drain exudate swabbed; no infection

Day 37: GP visit for chest drain wounds: "they look fine, secondary healing just takes a long time"

Day 39: a couple of spit sutures in the main incision removed during follow-up w/ surgeon

Day 44: chest drain wounds dry up; no more exudate

Day 52: chest drains healed over

Day 56: a couple more spit sutures pulled at home

I've been told none of this was particularly unusual, so if your healing seems rather drawn-out, you're not alone.

You might even get to:

Day 58: bored; writing a post on "OHS wound healing"

[Redfloyd]

Morning mate, I'm day 53. To be perfectly honest my wound has been the easiest part. I can't remember the early days timeline, that's just a blur, after a week or so all dressings were removed. I was quite surprised when I saw the wound, I've had worst looking scratches from my cat 😂. The vein for my CABG was taken from my chest so everything in one place. I did pull out a piece of stitch that had got left behind after I had come home. My wound did itch a bit at times but now the only reminder I have is a bit numbness on my left side and the occasional stinging sensation . The hard bit is remembering not to lift any to heavy. I do have to be careful opening and shutting car doors, it's the stretching position. I've told my wife that the Dr said I must not vacuum for 12 months . So I'm feeling good, wanting to do more but accept I've had major surgery and still got a long way to go.

[Mancunian1 in reply to Redfloyd]

I had a very similar recovery pathway and as you said the chest wound was in my case so best and healed so well it quite surprised me. A few issues with a leg wound which healed slowly but now barely noticeable.

What became noticeable recently is a small lump near the chest drain site which consultant said is remnant of a pacing wire not fully removed by the nurse. It touched wrong way it does feel like the wire is trying to break the skin. My surgeon said intervention is best only if causing real pain or it gets infected, so I’m stuck with it for now. He did say the body usually develops a growth over it and it will be fine.

Should have guess could have been an issue as it was the nurse first time removing the wire under supervision. Oh well, it’s a small price to pay for the huge benefits it’s given me c

[Redfloyd in reply to Mancunian1]

What a strange coincidence, my pacing wires were removed by a nurse doing it for the first time, under supervision of course, fortunately I've had no problems since.

[Mancunian1]

thanks, yes she did seem a little nervous and was a young newly qualified nurse but as said it’s a small price to pay. More often than not a small remnant can be left in and it’s generally the consultants who give it a strong tug to remove I’m told as they have more confidence in doing it.

Because intervention involves a surgical incision, I think only under an LA it’s not difficult surgically but because it’s tagged to the heart muscle there’s a risk of bleeding or other issues not immediately noticeable and so the general consensus, I believe is to let it settle and only intervene if clinically necessary.

Good to hear you are having no issues. He also said in my case as I’m rather “thin” I’d prefer to be called slim! It’s more noticeable…😀

[PadThaiNoodles in reply to Mancunian1]

Yeah, they don't normally remove the sternum wires either unless they cause issues.

Funny enough, my pacing wires slipped right out but the nurse nearly had her knee on my chest to yank the chest drains out. They were stuck good.

[Mancunian1 in reply to PadThaiNoodles]

Oh my drains were not coming out easily either. Definitely made my eyes water!

[Snowflake01 in reply to Mancunian1]

Plenty of 'gas and air' got me through that bit!

[PadThaiNoodles in reply to Snowflake01]

Dang, I wasn't offered anything. I will say that as much as it hurt, I don't remember the pain persisting after the actual process, which was pretty quick. (I think I was given a long-release opiate suppository post-op though, and was still on oral gabapentin.)

[PinkKizzie]

Hi, when my chest drains were removed I was totally traumatised, will never forget the horrible sensation. Take care.