Wound
Classification
An open wound
A laceration to the leg
Open
Open wounds can be classified according to the object that caused the wound. The types of open wound are:
Incisions or incised wounds, caused by a clean, sharp-edged object such as a knife, a razor or a glass splinter.
Lacerations, irregular tear-like wounds caused by some blunt trauma. The term laceration is commonly misused in reference to incisions.
Abrasions (grazes), superficial wounds in which the topmost layer of the skin (the epidermis) is scraped off. Abrasions are often caused by a sliding fall onto a rough surface.
Puncture wounds, caused by an object puncturing the skin, such as a nail or needle.
Penetration wounds, caused by an object such as a knife entering and coming out from the skin .
Gunshot wounds, caused by a bullet or similar projectile driving into or through the body. There may be two wounds, one at the site of entry and one at the site of exit, such is generally known as a through-and-through.
Closed
Closed wounds have fewer categories, but are just as dangerous as open wounds. The types of closed wounds are:
Contusions, more commonly known as bruises, caused by a blunt force trauma that damages tissue under the skin.
Hematomas, also called a blood tumor, caused by damage to a blood vessel that in turn causes blood to collect under the skin.
Crush injury, caused by a great or extreme amount of force applied over a long period of time.
Chronic and Acute Acute or traumatic wounds are the result of injuries that disrupt the tissue. Chronic wounds are those that are caused by a relatively slow process that leads to tissue damage. Chronic wounds include pressure, venous, and diabetic ulcers. Typically, an insufficiency in the circulation or other systemic support of the tissue causes it to fail and disintegrate. Infection then takes hold of the site and becomes a chronic abscess. Once the infection hits a critical point, it can spread locally or become systemic (sepsis).
Pathophysiology
Main article: Wound healing
To heal a wound, the body undertakes a series of actions collectively known as the wound healing process.
Risk factors
Almost anyone can be at a risk for developing a wound and even an infection on it. There are however some people who may have poor healing abilities like the elderly because of declining immune system. Individuals who are malnourished or who do not eat right foods and lack vitamins, nutrients or have protein deficiency are at risk too. Those who are chronically ill, bedridden or non ambulatory also have high risk factors as well as people who have undergone prolonged corticosteroid use or have been administered a potent immunosuppressive drug. Radiation therapy patients as well as diabetics, the obese and those that have had a stroke or some sort of peripheral vascular disease are also more likely to develop some sort of wound infection.
Management
Wound, sewn with four stitches
Treatment of recent lacerations involves examination, cleaning, and closing the wound. If the laceration occurred some time ago it may be allowed to heal by secondary intention due to the high rate of infection with primary closure.
Cleaning
Further information: Wound licking
For simple lacerations cleaning can be accomplished using a number of different solutions including tap water, sterile saline solution, or antiseptic solution. Infection rates may be lower with the use of tap water in regions were water quality is high. Evidence for the effectiveness of any cleaning of simple wound however is limited.
Treatment
The treatment of wounds is multidisciplinary. The treatment of wounds is essentially the same in most cases . Minor wounds like bruises will heal on their own in no time. The skin discoloration usually disappears in 1-2 week. Abrasions which are wounds with intact skin usually require no active treatment except keeping the area clean with soap and water. Puncture wounds can be dangerous depending on depth of penetration and usually require through cleansing, a tetanus shot and antibiotics. The entry of puncture wound is usually never closed to allow for bacteria or debris to be removed from inside. These wounds need to be reassessed until fully healed.
Lacerations caused by a knife or a sharp object need to be thoroughly cleaned and the edges trimmed. If the wounds are fresh and less than 12 hours old, they can be closed with sutures or staples. Any wound which is more than 24 hours old should be suspected to be contaminated and not closed completely. Only the deeper tissues can be approximated and the skin should be left open.
Most clean open wounds do not require any antibiotics unless the wound is contaminated or the bacterial cultures are positive. Excess use of antibiotics only leads to resistance and side effects. All open wounds should be cleaned at least twice a day with warm water and soap. Once the wound is cleaned, it should be covered with moist gauze. This should be followed by application of dry gauze and then the wound covered with a bandage. The purpose of a wet to dry dressing is the following- when the wound is opened, the wet dressing will not stick to the wound and thus will be less painful to remove. This wet to dry method of wound treatment works in the majority of wounds, irrespective of where the wound is located or its size.
When the wound is clean, the surgeon may opt to close it with a skin graft. No wound is ever closed if it is suspected to be infected .
Closure
If closure of a wound is decided upon a number of techniques can be used. These include Bandaids, a Cyanoacrylate glue, staples, and sutures.
Absorbable sutures have the benefit over non absorbable sutures of not requiring removal. They are often preferred in children.
Complications
Bacterial infection of wound can impede the healing process and lead to life threatening complications. Scientists at Sheffield University have identified a way of using light to rapidly detect the presence of bacteria. They are developing a portable kit in which specially designed molecules emit a light signal when bound to bacteria. Current laboratory-based detection of bacteria can take hours or even days.
Work up
Individuals who have wounds that are not healing need to be worked up to find the causes. Many microbiological agents can be responsible for this. The basic work up includes evaluating the wound, its extent and severity. Cultures are usually obtained both from the wound site and blood. X rays are obtained and a tetanus shot may be administered if there is any doubt about prior vaccination
Chronic non-healing
Diversified Clinical Services Case Study Results: “Non-healing wounds of the diabetic foot are considered one of the most significant complications of diabetes, representing a major worldwide medical, social, and economic burden that greatly affects patient quality of life. Almost 24 million Americansne in every 12re diabetic and the disease is causing widespread disability and death at an epidemic pace, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Of those with diabetes, 6.5 million are estimated to suffer with chronic or non-healing wounds. Associated with inadequate circulation, poorly functioning veins, and immobility, non-healing wounds occur most frequently in the elderly and in people with diabetesopulations that are sharply rising as the nation ages and chronic diseases increase.
Although diabetes can ravage the body in many ways, non-healing ulcers on the feet and lower legs are common outward manifestations of the disease. Also, diabetics often suffer from nerve damage in their feet and legs, allowing small wounds or irritations to develop without awareness. Given the abnormalities of the microvasculature and other side effects of diabetes, these wounds take a long time to heal and require a specialized treatment approach for proper healing.
As many as 25% of diabetic patients will eventually develop foot ulcers, and recurrence within five years is 70%. If not aggressively treated, these wounds can lead to amputations. It is estimated that every 30 seconds a lower limb is amputated somewhere in the world because of a diabetic wound. Amputation often triggers a downward spiral of declining quality of life, frequently leading to disability and death. In fact, only about one third of diabetic amputees will live more than five years, a survival rate equivalent to that of many cancers.
Many of these lower extremity amputations can be prevented through an interdisciplinary approach to treatment involving a variety of advanced therapies and techniques, such as debridement, hyperbaric oxygen treatment therapy, dressing selection, special shoes, and patient education. When wounds persist, a specialized approach is required for healing.
Outpatient wound care center
Specialized wound care are offered in a number of nations.
History
Medieval treatment of wound with lance grittings
From the Classical Period to the Medieval Period, the body and the soul were believed to be intimately connected, based on several theories put forth by the philosopher Plato. Wounds on the body were believed to correlate with wounds to the soul and vice versa; wounds were seen as an outward sign of an inward illness. Thus, a man who was wounded physically in a serious way was said to be hindered not only physically but spiritually as well. If the soul was wounded, that wound may also eventually become physically manifest, revealing the true state of the soul. Wounds were also seen as writing on the “tablet” of the body. Wounds gotten in war, for example, told the story of a soldier in a form which all could see and understand, and the wounds of a martyr told the story of their faith.by Dr.Sajjad Ahmad (Hebei North Med Univ Zhangjiakou China)
See also
International Red Cross Wound Classification System
References
^ a b Fernandez R, Griffiths R (2008). “Water for wound cleansing”. Cochrane Database Syst Rev (1): CD003861. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD003861.pub2. PMID 18254034.
^ Signs of a wound infection Scrapes, and Puncture Wounds Information. Retrieved on 2010-01-27
^ Wound Infection Signs And Preventive Measures. Retrieved on 2010-01-27
^ “BestBets: Absorbable sutures in pediatric lacerations.”. http://www.bestbets.org/bets/bet.php?id=874.
^ “Light to detect wound infection” (web). UK scientists have identified a way of using light to rapidly detect the presence of bacteria. bodat. BBC News. 11 March 2007. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/6427787.stm. Retrieved 2008-03-17.
^ Work Up eMedicine General Surgery. Retrieved on 2010-01-27
^ “The Clinical Case for Use of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy in the Treatment of Diabetic Wounds,” Diversified Clinical Services, copyright 2009
^ a b Reichardt, Paul F. (1984). “Gawain and the image of the wound”. PMLA 99 (2): 154161. doi:10.2307/462158.
External links
Look up wound in Wiktionary, the free dictionary.
Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Wounds
WOUNDS, open-access, print and online, peer-reviewed journal featuring articles about wound care and related research.
Ostomy Wound Management, open-access, print and online, peer-reviewed journal featuring articles about wound care, ostomy care, incontinence care, and nutrition
Today’s Wound Clinic, the leading journal decision makers read in US wound care clinics.
Journal of Burns and Wounds, online open-access journal featuring articles about wound care and related research
US based wound healing society
Association for the Advancement of Wound Care AAWC
v d e
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Wound
Categories: First aid | Injuries | Medical emergencies | TraumatologyHidden categories: Articles needing additional references from December 2007 | All articles needing additional references
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