What are the effective ways to promote wound healing?

Question

Hello doctor,

My father is diabetic and had a myocardial infarction (MI) with a heart block. He underwent CABG surgery and sternal debridement three years ago. The wound has not healed yet. He is currently on Meropenem 1000 mg, and Colistimethate sodium is also being used.

Please help.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

Since your father is diabetic, he has a weakened immune response to infections, and wound healing may take some time. Deep sternal wounds are common after CABG (coronary artery bypass grafting). Both antibiotics he is using are strong, but if they are not effective, I would recommend stopping the antibiotics for three days and performing a wound culture and sensitivity test. This will identify the type of microbes present and the antibiotics that are effective against them. Based on the results, you can treat accordingly.

In the meantime, take other general measures such as keeping the wound clean and dry, applying povidone-iodine solution daily, removing any cloth that rubs against the wound, and ensuring the patient's environment remains clean.

I hope this helps you.

Thank you.