Ask:
swollen after trauma surgery
my son was in a car accident a few months ago...he had his spleen removed ...6 broken ribs and puntured lung...then after a week...his incision got infected..the incision goes past his bellybutton because of exploring the other organs for internal bleeding...so anyway after it was infected they opened the incision and were using a wound vac while in the hospital..then wet dry dressings in the following weeks,there was always a little swelling on both sides of the incisoion which will not close all the way now..but since today..the left side looks a little more swollen on him....actually it looks like a 6 pack of abs now..which i know its not....its not red or swollen or sore to the touch...just a little spongy....he is also on coumadin because of p.e's and a clot in the pelvis...is this normal for it to swell like that...the surgeon said it was ok and that was before this one side swelled...what can it be?
Answer:
swollen after trauma surgery
Hi lorine,
Sorry to hear about your son's accident. Swelling is a normal reaction to a trauma, but without seeing your son it is hard to determine wether his symptoms warrant futher investigation. I would discuss your concerns with his doctors, as it is easier for them to determine what is normal in his case specifically. Best of luck, and keep us posted.