Wound care

We treat both chronic and new wounds located above the knee, including the following:

• Surgical wounds that were closed with stitches or staples but have partially or completely opened
• Surgical wounds that were left open to heal with the help of surgical dressings (no stitches or staples) but are failing to respond
• Surgical wounds that have become infected
• Wounds from injuries, such as punctures, cuts, tears and burns
• Wounds due to cellulitis, a common bacterial skin infection
• Abscesses (pus-filled lumps)
• Pressure injuries, such as bedsores
• Wounds caused by cancer cells invading the skin

Our advanced treatments include negative pressure wound therapy, which promotes healing by drawing fluid out and increasing blood flow to the area.

If you have a wound on or below the knee that won't heal, please visit the UCSF Center for Limb Preservation.

Ostomy (stoma) care

Ostomies are surgically created openings in the body to drain waste. Expert care before and after ostomy surgery can prevent complications or address them early – and help you enjoy a better quality of life. We offer the following ostomy services:

• Presurgical consultation to select where the ostomy will be created in your abdomen. Called site marking, this can be done in person or remotely (in a video visit).
• Presurgical and postsurgical education on caring for your ostomy at home.
• Treatment for ostomy complications, such as leaks and skin reactions.
• Personalized ostomy molding for complex pouching systems.
• Measuring for an ostomy prolapse belt (a device that supports and protects the stoma).