Wound Healing Flashcards
What is a problem that may occur with wound healing?
The mobility of the tissue is likely be decreased due to the formation of scar tissue. This is collagen rich with a limited blood supply. It is always desirable to restore tissue to its normal function.
How can wounds be classified?
By aetiology, open vs. closed, location, clean/contaminated/infected.
What 2 types of healing can occur?
1st intention - (primary union) tissue in close contact heals without granulation tisssue formation
2nd intention - wound fills with granulation tissue
What are the basic phases of wound healing?
Inflammation, proliferative phase, maturation phase.
How do the lengths and overlapping of phases vary between 1st and 2nd intention healing?
In 1st intention healing the phases are shorter and overlap more.
How can inflammation be further subdivided?
Clotting & scab formation (haemostasis)
Fluid phase (inflammation proper)
Debridement (cellular phase)
How can the proliferative stage be subdivided?
Fibroplasia, angiogenesis and epithelialisation.
What cells cause wound contraction?
Myofibroblasts
In what circumstance might wound contraction prove non-beneficial?
At a distal extremity wound contraction could occlude blood supply to the extremity.
What is meant by epithelialisation?
The migration of cells to close a wound.
What is a partial thickness wound and how may healing differ in this case?
It only involves damage to the epidermis and superficial dermis, with no damage to dermal blood vessels. These wounds can grow back hair follicles whereas full-thickness wounds cannot.
What factors influence epithelialisation?
Moistness of the wound, presence/absence of infection, moistness, granulation tissue and oxygen tension.
What level of strength is regained by a tissue after maturation?
80%
Summarise the factors affecting wound healing in general.
Patient and Physical Factors
Disease factors
Exogenous factors (e.g. drugs)
Wound factors
