Ischial thigh fasciocutaneous flap day 1 after surgery

took picture between dressing change. Very helpful to show nursing staff, so they understand how/why to get me on my side--especially with language barriers. There are two drains-literally, 2 tubes inserted under skin flap to suck blood and other fluids from site of surgery. The tubes emptied into plastic airtight bulbs, which were emptied twice a day. After emptying bulbs, be sure and push the air out, in order to create suction. At first the drains filled completly with blood.  The drainage eased up by day 4 post-op; about 15 cc per drain every 12 hours.  When I left the hospital, the drainage was very blood-red. The amount of liquid was 10 cc. for drain#1(morning & night); and 5 cc for drain#2.  Dr. orders : stay on side, turn every 2 hours. I wiegh 85 lbs. so had trouble with blood pressure dropping while on morphine (72 over ?) My normal daily meds include 20 mg baclofen, 2mg diazapam, .2 mg clonidine patch(time release), 5 mgs of oxycodone(2 per day), 10 mg time release oxy at bed, plus other stuff not related for uti.

Surgery on left Thigh to hip

7/23

7/23

Post-operation.  Surgery was about 2 1/2 hours.  I took a Spinal Anesthetic (needle), and had the option of staying awake to hear the surgery.  I slept  Now the real fun starts--recovery!

Left Ischial decubitus Ulcer Stage IV, The week before surgery

About 1 inch wide at the outside, the surgeon estimates a 2 inch diameter 'tunnel' wound under the skin.  Surgery scheduled.

Wound turns Black

Spending 14 hours in bed, 10 up in chair. Wound does not look  good.

6/7

6/1

5/29

4th,5th,6th weeks wound

5/10

5/2

The wound gets progressively wider and the tunnel more pronounced as continued sitting,-up in chair.  Spent 18 months sitting-up for 4 days; then in bed  (off wound site) for 10 days to recover.  Pressure mapping showed ischial points two inches from wound site; still have not figured that out.

Week 3 Tunnel Visable

After 3 weeks of sitting up 11 hours a day.   The dark pink spot is a tunnel going straight to bone-verified  by Plastic Surgeon. 

week two of ischial wound

One week later 4/18; a little deeper than last week, about the size of a q-tip.

First Stage of Wound

Location of wound: left ischial-- where the back of the left thigh meets the bum.  Very minute wound, about the size of a pencil lead, goes all the way to the bone.  This is after debridement surgery and wound vac. treatment. I am trying to maintain wound thru pressure relief and bandage.