The non-healing post-surgical wound had an ongoing mucopurulent discharge persisting after drain removal. The family needed to dress the wound twice daily as the drainage was not reducing. A foul-smelling discharge kept oozing.
This is a case of a non-healing surgical wound in a middle-aged male. He was referred to me by one of my family members in November 2022. This case was handled remotely.
The patient who is a 48-year-old male, was suffering from chronic abdominal pain in the right side of his abdomen on and off for quite some time. He was receiving homeopathic treatment from his niece who is a homeopath. There was an acute episode of abdominal pain since the first week of September of that year.
The pain worsened and he had to undergo emergency laparotomy. They found an infected appendix with a cecal m*** and impending rupture. The m*** was excised along with right hemicolectomy and an end to end colostomy done. A drain was kept in the RIF to ensure drainage. After drain removal the site did not close well.
The non-healing post-surgical wound had an ongoing mucopurulent discharge persisting after drain removal. The family needed to dress the wound twice daily as the drainage was not reducing. A foul-smelling discharge kept oozing.
They noticed food particles on the gauze on some days. This became a big cause of concern for the relatives. They were very anxious and hence were looking for a solution. The wife of the patient gave the history. She said that he had lost a lot of weight. His appetite was low, he was not sleeping well and was in discomfort due the wound.
He was worried and anxious due to this complication. He had a pulling sensation at the drain site along with burning. He had to walk bent and sit bent. He lost 20 kg. He has been suffering from watery loose and foamy stools.
She said that he is a very irritable person and any sort of contradiction upsets him. He does not like interference in what he is doing. He is very self-driven and ambitious. He runs a successful business of a manufacturing plant for agricultural fertilizers and pesticides. He is a person who will find solutions if any difficulty arises.
He wakes up early and goes late to bed to take care of his business. He has several employees and has good relations with them. He cares a lot for them, pays them well and tries to help them financially if they are sick or in need. He is very sympathetic by nature.
He is anxious by nature. He worries about his health. His thoughts torment him if he is sick. He always maintains his doctor appointments, does routine check up and takes his medications on time. He worries about his parents. His father has Parkinsonism so he visits him often.
He has a young adult son whom he disciplines and guides by taking interest in his academics and his career. Due to being very busy with work, he does not get much time to spend with wife. Their interpersonal relation is good but he usually vents out his anger on wife. His wife is supportive and takes care of finances, payments and other paper work related to business.
The patient had been suffering from suicidal thoughts for several weeks, He would get impulse to jump out of the window. When he would go to the gallery he would feel like jumping off. He has fear of heights2 and claustrophobia2, (never uses the elevator). He also has fear of sharp and pointy objects. His hands and feet get cold.
He desires solitude and is an introvert by nature. He does not long interactions or gatherings.
The totality of symptoms:
- Anxiety health about
- Anger on contradiction
- Fear of heights
- Desire to jump from the window
- Desire to jump from height
- Sympathetic
- Hot
- Craving sweets and sugar
- Sugar aggravates
- Warm drinks ameliorate
In view of the characteristic mental symptoms, and characteristic physical generals, Argentum Nitriblock was a clear choice. Also, it was the leading remedy that came up on repertorization. Considering the great debility, tendency to suppuration and weight loss, Tuberculinum Bovinum was chosen as an intercurrent. Calcarea Sulphurica 6x and Silicea 6x, were also prescribed to the patient in the Bio-chemic form.
November 21, 2022
Homeopathic Prescription:
- Tuberculinum Bovinum 200c single dose
- Argentum Nitriblock 30C once at bedtime for 3 consecutive days
- Calcarea Sulphurica 6X 2 tablets twice daily
- Silicea 6X 2 tablets twice daily.
Follow up:
Date: Dec 1, 2022
Weakness ameliorated3+
Sleep improved2+
No weight loss.
Action: Continue Argentum Nit & Cell salts
Date: Dec 15, 2022
Sleep further improved
Weight gain: 2kg
Discharge increased first but again reduced on own.
Overall feels better
Action: Continue same
Date: Dec 28, 2023
Further amelioration
The drain site is narrowing.
Weakness>2
Resumed work.
Can walk erect
Action:
Tub Bov 200 one dose
Argentum Nit 200C
One dose weekly*4 weeks
Cell salts to be continued
The patient visited his surgeon for a follow up and the surgeon was happy with the progress. To speed up the recovery the potency of Tuberculinum was increased to 1M, to be repeated once in 15 days and Argentum n. 200 weekly doses were increased to thrice weekly along with the cell salts and continued for 3 months.
The discharge had significantly reduced now.
Patient was gaining weight.
Actively involved in work.
Had to change gauze once a day and very minimum soakage.
Tuberculinum 10M was administered in April and Argentum Nit 1M single dose weekly continued. The potency for the cell salts was increased to 12X as well.
He followed this prescription for 2 months.
In June 2023, his wife reported that the wound had completely stopped draining and closed altogether. He put on 10 kg of weight. He said he feels healthy and strong. He has resumed all normal activities and is doing well.
