Wound Healing in Diabetic Patients Undergoing Abdominal Surgery: A Retrospective Study

Background Patients with diabetes mellitus are more likely to develop complications in healing after abdominal surgery. The study aims to compare and evaluate the process of wound healing in diabetic and nondiabetic patients following abdominal surgery. Methods A group of 100 patients underwent elective abdominal surgeries (50 diabetic and 50 nondiabetic). A prospective observational study was performed on these patients. On days 3, 7, and 14, standardized wound healing scores were used to assess the process of wound healing after surgery. The CDC's criteria were used to grade surgical site infections (SSIs) in this study. The factors observed for each sample were wound edema, erythema, discharge, the SSI grade, and the time it took to heal. Results Among the 100 patients who received abdominal surgery, the incidence of SSI was greater in diabetic patients, i.e., 15 (30%) versus five (10%) in nondiabetics. The healing time of >14 days was experienced in 20 (40%) diabetics compared to six (12%) nondiabetics, and dehiscence of wounds was found in six (12%) and two (2%), respectively (p < 0.05). The healing duration of diabetics was also longer (18.1 ± 4.6 vs. 12.5 ± 2.9 days). Grading of infection demonstrated greater Grade I: 10 (20%) vs. 4 (8%), Grade II: 4 (8%) vs. 1 (2%), and Grade III: 1 (2%) vs. 0 (0%). High BMI and diabetes were also major predictors of poor healing. Conclusions Diabetic people had worse postoperative wound healing after abdominal surgery. Glycemic control and perioperative strategies may help improve surgical outcomes.