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I had a tummy tuck about 6 weeks ago. All has went well except my bellybutton and the "T" area where stomach meets mons has an opening, and white slough that is just hard to remove. (I've been on antibiotics so that piece is covered.) The latest treatment my surgeon recommended is silvadene cream on the areas to help break down the slough, but it only seems to be helping a bit. Would medihoney over those areas covered with a xeroform petroleum dressing be a better choice? Do I need Santyl? Something else? He has done some debridement/removal in the bellybutton once a few weeks ago. I just need advice on getting this white to go away so wound can heal and close. What would you recommend?
Jan 17, 2025 by Lauren Meyers, MBA
5 replies
Samantha Kuplicki
MSN, APRN-CNS, AGCNS-BC, CWS, CWCN-AP, CRNFA

Thanks so much for your question. I have to say having had this procedure myself, it can be unnerving to have complications. I see some really healthy granulation tissue, and for tough fibrinous slough, Santyl plus an occlusive dressing may be a great addition to add moisture to debride the last bit of non viable tissue over the granulation. Silvadene can actually cause the slough to be dryer and tougher to debride in some cases, and I would not recommend that. Also, I understand plastic surgeons would tend toward treating for potential skin infections with prophylactic antibiotics, but would say those are not indicated without clinical signs of infection. The edges do look rolled so that may be an issue when the wound bed is healthy enough for skin to cover the area, this may be treated with debridement or silver nitrate.

Jan 17, 2025
Thank you for your response! I see him again next week and will ask about the Santyl. I’ve heard good things about it. In the meantime, do you think medihoney with a xeroform petroleum dressing on it would hurt?
Jan 17, 2025
Samantha Kuplicki
MSN, APRN-CNS, AGCNS-BC, CWS, CWCN-AP, CRNFA

I think that would be a good dressing regimen to add some moisture to the wound, yes--just ensure when the santyl is added to use plain petroleum gauze over the top as the xeroform can inactivate the santyl.

Jan 18, 2025
Last question I hope- once the Santyl removes the white, how would you dress the wound until the healthy red granulation tissue heals? Antibiotic ointment?
Jan 19, 2025
Samantha Kuplicki
MSN, APRN-CNS, AGCNS-BC, CWS, CWCN-AP, CRNFA

You can actually use santyl to complete healing if desired. Antibiotic ointment isn't recommended as it can stall healing and be allergenic.

Jan 22, 2025
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