Wounds and Their Management
Introduction A wound is a disruption in the normal continuity of the skin, mucous membrane, or underlying tissues caused by physical, chemical, thermal, or pathological factors. Wounds range from simple superficial abrasions to complex injuries involving muscles, blood vessels, nerves, bones, and internal organs. Proper wound management aims to control bleeding, prevent infection, preserve tissue, promote healing, restore function, and achieve an acceptable cosmetic result. Classification of Wounds 1. Based on the mechanism of injury Superficial injury caused by friction, resulting in loss of the epidermis. Incised wound: Caused by a sharp object such as a knife or blade. The wound edges are usually clean and regular. Laceration: A tear produced by blunt force, commonly having irregular edges and surrounding tissue damage. Contusion: Blunt trauma causing damage to underlying tissues with intact skin. Puncture wound: Caused by a pointed object, producing a small external opening b...