Statement of Clinical Problem: Dehisced wounds can be problematic for both the clinician and patient as these wounds are often draining. The following cases provide an effective solution for exudate management while reducing clinic visits.

Description of Past Management: The first individual is a 60 year old male who underwent abdominal perineal resection with subsequent re-excision of the perineum because of infiltrating anal adenocarcinoma. Prior wound management consisted of gauze dressings. The second patient is a 59 year old obese female status post an abdominal hysterectomy with wound dehiscence. Her wound management consisted of silver dressings because of a MRSA infection.

Current Clinical Approach: Protocols of care included the following dressing selections. The management of the first patient's wound included application of a sodium carboxymethylcellulose, (CMC) fiber dressing selected to absorb excess exudate and liquefy necrotic tissue. This dressing was covered with gauze and abdominal pads. A CMC with ionic silver dressing was selected for the second case as the wound cultured MRSA. This dressing was covered with gauze and abdominal pads. The wounds caused by the retention sutures were also covered with the silver dressing, then with a composite dressing containing CMC fibers.

Patient Outcomes: With a protocol of care that included the CMC fiber dressings, the patients proceeded to heal without complications. The perineal wound reduced in size in 2 months and did not require plastic surgery. The abdominal wound progressed to healing in 5 months.

Conclusions: Dehisced wounds often require absorptive dressings. The clinician and the patient benefit when dressings are selected that manage the drainage and decrease both the frequency of dressing changes and clinic visits.