Surgical wound dehiscence, in which the edges of a sutured surgical wound separate, is a serious complication with high morbidity rates. Diagnosing this condition is challenging for healthcare professionals due to varying definitions in the literature. Since 2018, a new definition and classification (grading system) of wound dehiscence has been introduced, but it is not yet used uniformly. This dissertation demonstrates that training healthcare professionals in this definition and classification improves their ability to accurately diagnose surgical wound dehiscence. In plastic surgical breast reconstructions using autologous tissue, the risk of wound dehiscence is higher. To prevent wound dehiscence, a postoperative vacuum dressing was developed. It is applied immediately after surgery and remains in place for 5–7 days. The continuous suction aims to keep the wound edges together. This dissertation shows that the preventive use of a vacuum dressing reduces the risk of surgical wound dehiscence in these procedures.
Emmy Muller-Sloof (1961) graduated cum laude in 2015 as nurse practitioner (Master Advanced Nursing Practice) from HAN University Nijmegen. Subsequently, she worked at the Wound Expertise Center of Groene Hart Hospital Gouda. Her PhD trajectory started in 2020 at uu77 and Department of Plastic Surgery Radboudumc. Currently, she works at the Department of Vascular Surgery at Erasmus MC Rotterdam.