Options for Wound Closure Flashcards
What is primary closure of a wound? What types of wounds can you use it on?
Direct apposition of skin edges. Use on clean or clean-contaminated wound.
What is delayed primary closure of a wound?
Apposition of skin edges 2-5 days after wounding, during which wound has a sterile dressing.
What kind of wounds can delayed primary closure of a wound be used on? Why would you use delayed primary closure?
Used on contaminated wounds. It decreases the incidence of wound infection, and can be used when contamination cannot be removed or when you need to assess viability.
What is secondary closure of a wound?
Wound closure in the presence of granulation tissue, 5-10 days after wounding.
What kinds of wounds would be suitable for secondary closure of the wound?
Wounds with superficial contamination or invasive infection, including wounds that were closed primarily and got infected.
How can secondary closure of a wound be carried out?
Either direct apposition of granulation tissue, or excision of granulation tissue and primary closure.
What is second intention healing? What type of wounds is it suitable for?
Healing by contraction and epithelialisation. It is generally reserved for dirty wounds.
What advantages does second intention healing have?
It can be used when primary closure, delayed primary closure, and secondary closure cannot.
What disadvantages does second intention healing have?
Expensive (bandages etc.), prolonged healing, may not complete, hairless epithelium, breakdown, may reduce motion.
In what four ways can a wound be closed?
Primary closure, delayed primary closure, secondary closure, second intention healing.
