A 55-year-old woman returns 7 days after ventral hernia repair with increasing incisional pain. Temperature is 38.4 C. The incision is erythematous

Question

A 55-year-old woman returns 7 days after ventral hernia repair with increasing incisional pain. Temperature is 38.4 C. The incision is erythematous and tender with purulent drainage. She is hemodynamically stable. Which of the following is the most appropriate next step in management?

Accepted Answer

Open the affected part of the incision and drain the wound

Answer

Reassure and schedule routine suture removal

Answer

Immediate CT angiography of the chest

Answer

Give loperamide and oral hydration

Answer

Start anticoagulation for presumed embolism

Surgical site infection — USMLE Step 3 MCQ

A 55-year-old woman returns 7 days after ventral hernia repair with increasing incisional pain. Temperature is 38.4 C. The incision is erythematous and tender with purulent drainage. She is hemodynamically stable. Which of the following is the most appropriate next step in management?