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Wound Infection - Diagnosis
Last reviewed: 04.07.2025
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The leading method of diagnosing wound infection is clinical. Inspection and probing of the wound: in case of infection localized in the tissue, the leading signs are infiltration and soreness of the suture, in case of suppuration, hyperemia of the skin and areas of fluctuation appear. In case of hematomas of the subcutaneous tissue, there is usually imbibition of the skin with blood in the corresponding area. The diagnosis is easily confirmed by spreading the edges of the skin wound.
Subgaleal hematomas are more difficult to diagnose. Visible asymmetry of the anterior abdominal wall is observed only in patients with massive hematomas (more than a liter in volume). Digital revision of the subgaleal space allows confirming the diagnosis in the presence of clinical data. This manipulation also allows emptying small hematomas.
Laboratory test data reflect the fact of an inflammatory process and suppuration (leukocytosis, moderate shift in the leukocyte formula to the left, increased ESR).
In the presence of suppurating hematomas, patients develop anemia, followed by changes in the blood indicating inflammation.
Echography of the anterior abdominal wall can be used to confirm the diagnosis. The method is effective in the presence of infiltrates (location, size, abscess zones) in the cellular tissue and hematomas or abscesses in the soft tissues of the subgaleal space.