Reconstructive Wound Care

Severe wounds that cause a significant amount of damage to the skin and musculoskeletal system may need surgical treatment to heal properly. Surgeons use a variety of methods to repair and reconstruct wounds so they heal correctly and visible scarring is minimized.

Specialists at The University of Kansas Health System are national leaders in reconstructive wound care procedures. Our physicians are not only innovators, but they also share their expertise by training the next generation of up-and-coming physicians.

Doctors are usually able to treat and close wounds using stitches or sutures. In cases where the wound is large, jagged or skin tissue is missing, reconstructive wound care may be needed.

Reconstructive surgery for wounds are typically performed by a plastic surgeon. Reconstructing the skin and muscle tissue at the site of a severe wound not only helps reduce scarring, but aids in wound healing.

People with wounds that are wide or difficult to close are often candidates for reconstructive wound care. Wounds from extensive damage such as severe burns are also often candidates for reconstructive surgery.

In deciding how to treat a wound, your surgeon must carefully assess its size, severity and features. When formulating a treatment plan for a severe wound, the doctor will different factors into consideration:

• Is skin missing?
• Have nerves or muscles been damaged?
• Has skeletal support been affected?

The type of reconstructive wound procedure chosen will be based on these factors as well as your general health and physiology.

There are a number of options available when creating a treatment plan. The specific procedure chosen will be based on the type and severity of the wound being treated. Reconstructive wound care treatments are also typically personalized to create aesthetically pleasing results.

The primary goal of reconstructive wound care is primarily to heal a wound that will not heal by itself or cannot be treated using typical methods. The most common type of procedure used to treat a severe wound is a skin graft, in which healthy skin tissue is attached to the wound area.

The primary benefit of reconstructive wound care is the healing of a wound that would not heal properly otherwise. This treatment allows you a greater quality of life following injury.

Risks of reconstructive wound care procedures are similar to other surgical procedures, including bleeding, infection or complications arising from anesthesia. Some risks are heightened based on your physiology and medical history. Doctors take into account factors such as:

• An impaired immune system
• Areas of skin damaged from radiation therapy
• Decreased circulation to the surgical area
• Poor nutrition
• Presence of connective-tissue disease
• Smoking

Procedures for reconstructive wound care will vary depending upon which type is being performed. While a skin graft is the most common type of reconstructive surgery for a severe wound, there are other methods available to doctors to treat wounds that won’t heal by themselves: