Ensuring Quality Surgical Wound Care

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At Lincoln Surgical Associates, our surgeons are committed to preventing wound infections post surgery.

Often that means preparing your patients for the optimal surgical experience by educating them on possible wound problems. Issues that can cause slow-healing wounds include:

  • Medications (immunosuppressants, chemotherapy, and steroids)
  • Diabetes
  • Smoking
  • Obesity

"One way to prevent wound problems is to have patients go off certain medications prior to surgery," said Lincoln Surgical Associates Emergency and General Surgeon D. Scott Crouch, MD, FACS. "For example, if someone is taking a steroid for a short-term reason and surgery isn't critical, we will wait until the course of medication is complete before performing the surgery." 

The team will also try to have patients stop smoking or lose weight prior to surgery.

Preventing wound infections and promoting healing

Lincoln Surgical has adopted the policy of clean closure during surgeries that could result in cross contamination. Clean closure is the latest protocol for potentially contaminated cases, according to Dr. Crouch. The clean closure technique in procedures calls for all new surgical gowns, drapes, and instruments before transitioning to closure of the surgical wounds.

Clean closure would be used in cases like GI surgeries where infection is more likely based on the type of surgery performed.

Dr. Crouch

When performing surgery on patients with diabetes, who are more prone to wounds, the surgeon might leave stitches or staples in longer than normal. They will also be more vigilant in monitoring the patients' incisions because it takes longer for their wounds to heal.

The tools for healing

Lincoln Surgical wants to give your patients every opportunity to heal a wound that could cause potential problems. Education on how medications, diabetes, smoking, and obesity can affect healing is important. In addition to education, Lincoln Surgical offers the best environment for preventing wound infections with clean closures when recommended.

To learn more about Lincoln Surgical's approach to wound care or to refer your patient for surgery, please call 618.277.7400.