ASSESSMENT OF SURGICAL WOUND BREAKDOWN AMONG INPATIENTS IN SURGICAL WARDS IN TERTIARY HEALTH FACILITY IN BENIN CITY, EDO STATE

ABSTRACT

The study was conducted to assess the operated wound breakdown among in-patients in surgical wards in a tertiary health facility in Benin City. The objectives of the study were to determine rate of operated wound breakdown, to ascertain the preoperative factors of operated wound breakdown and to determine the actual time of onset of operated wound breakdown. A descriptive cross-sectional survey design was employed for the study, involving all 126 inpatients in the surgical wards of a tertiary health facility located in Benin City. The study showed that most 70 (55.6%) of the participants had wound breakdown while 56 (44.4%) did not have wound breakdown. Furthermore, most 86(68.3%) of the participants said that infection is responsible for wound breakdown. Moreover, most 86(68.3%) of the participants said that the actual time of onset of operated wound breakdown is 30 days and above after the surgery. The preoperative risk factors for operated wounds breakdown and the actual time of operated wound breakdown commencement were significantly correlated. The study recommends that patients with a great many of risk factors like smoking, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, lung disease, male gender, contamination of the surgical site, blood loss, and the nature of the operation itself are predisposed for development of postoperative wound complications (infections and wound dehiscence) with the morbidity and mortality still very high. Therefore it is important to identify them early and treat those patients with care. Good preoperative preparation reduces postoperative wound complications. Additionally, the establishment of clinical pathways would be beneficial if the precise risk for each patient could be assessed during surgical planning. This approach would allow for targeted optimization of the patient's preoperative condition, thereby reducing the likelihood of complications. Healthy life and good preoperative preparation reduce postoperative wound complications. Key words: assessment, surgical wound breakdown, in-patients