in ,

Methods for Wound Closures

Wound Closure Methods

The important goals of wound closure are to stop bleeding, accelerate healing, preserve the actual appearance of the wounded area, prevent infection and to retain the functional aspect of the injured area. There are different ways of wound closures, and a qualified physician should decide the right techniques of wound closure for best results. The major types of wounds are

  • Abrasions: Abrasions are caused due to rubbing of the skin against a hard surface.
  • Lacerations: Lacerations happens when sharp objects like blades or knives inflict a deep cut.
  • Punctures:  This happens when sharp and pointed object like nails or thorns inflict an injury.
  • Incisions: Surgical incisions caused while a doctor performing a surgical procedure is also a form of wound, quite similar to lacerations.
  • Burns: Flames, extreme heat/cold, chemicals, or direct contact to electricity can cause burn wounds.
  • Avulsions: This is a common impact wound resulting in partial or complete tearing away of skin, tissues, and ligaments around joints.

Despite the type of wound, it must be closed in order to recover and retain functionality. This article will further explore the three major types of wound closure.

1.      Primary wound closure

Primary wound closure, or primary intention refers to closing wounds that are simple and linear. Something like a cut, laceration, or a surgical incision. Such wounds are closed using sutures, staples, glues, or other wound-closing processes.

This prevent tissue loss, reduces scarring, and helps the body to heal faster as the area of the wound is reduced.

2.      Secondary wound closure

Secondary wound closure or secondary intention wound healing, happens when a complex wound with large amount of tissue loss that cannot be stitched easily. Medical professionals will let the wound heal naturally. This is more common when the wound is very complex, occurred on uneven surface of our body (hard to stitch), or areas where regular movement will make stitches or any other primary closure methods non-viable.

This type of wound closure depends on our body’s natural healing mechanisms. However, this is a slow process, might result in a bigger scar and higher risk of infection.  

3.      Tertiary wound closure

Tertiary wound closure, also called as healing by delayed primary closure, happens when the doctors look to delay the wound closing process.

This happens when a doctor deems that closing wound may trap germs and other contaminants. In those cases, the doctor would allow the wound to drain and treat the area with antibiotics and other medicine before closing the wound. In a way it is a mix of secondary wound closure followed by primary wound closure.

Advancement in science has resulted in development of numerous Wound Closure Devices like sutures, staples, adhesive tapes, cyanoacrylate tissue adhesives and several other accessories. Doctors today have access to these advanced devices to accelerate the wound healing process.

What do you think?

Biopharma Manufacturing Company

Trends in Biopharmaceutical Manufacturing

How to Choose a Restaurant Tonight

How to Choose a Restaurant Tonight