WOUND ( FLASH CARDS )
(21 cards)
What is a wound?
An injury caused by an external force that can involve any tissue or organ and can be mild, severe, or lethal.
Wounds can be classified as surgical or traumatic.
What are the two main types of wounds?
Closed wound and Open wound
Closed wounds include contusions and haematomas, while open wounds include abrasions, incisions, lacerations, punctures, and gunshot wounds.
Define contusion.
A bruise caused by a blow with a blunt object leading to extravasation of blood through injured capillaries.
The area becomes painful and swollen, initially bluish, then turning brownish or green.
What is a haematoma?
A localized collection of blood outside of blood vessels, usually forming when bleeding is excessive.
Initially cystic, it will clot within hours and later liquefy.
Describe an abrasion wound.
A wound where the superficial layers of skin are damaged, causing limited bleeding and pain.
Infection can occur, but it generally has good wound healing.
What characterizes an incised wound?
A wound with smooth edges caused by a sharp object, often resulting in severe bleeding.
Healing is generally good, such as in surgical wounds.
What are penetrating wounds?
Wounds caused by the penetration of a pointed object, more deep than long, with poor drainage and risk of infection.
These wounds can be deceptive, potentially missing deeper injuries.
What is a lacerated wound?
A wound caused by severe trauma with blunt objects, typically irregular in shape and heavily contaminated.
These wounds have a high risk of infection and a bad healing process.
What are missile wounds?
Serious wounds caused by bullets that transmit high kinetic energy to tissues, resulting in extensive damage.
The damage can be direct or due to shock waves and cavitation effects.
What are the classifications of wounds based on contamination?
- Clean: <2% infection risk
- Clean/Contaminated: 8% infection risk
- Contaminated: 15% infection risk
- Dirty: 40% infection risk
Classification is based on the presence of intrinsic bacterial flora and contamination.
What are the components of wound healing?
- Wound contraction
- Granulation tissue
- Epithelialization
Wound contraction starts immediately and continues for 2-3 weeks.
What are the types of wound healing?
- Healing by primary intention
- Healing by secondary intention
- Healing by tertiary intention
Each type corresponds to different approaches and conditions of the wound.
What general factors affect wound healing?
- Age
- Nutritional state
- Debilitating diseases
- Drug intake
- Obesity
- Alcoholism and smoking
Nutritional deficiencies, especially in proteins and vitamins, can significantly delay healing.
What local factors can impair wound healing?
- Vascularity
- Irradiation
- Immobilization
- Tension
- Infection
- Foreign bodies
- Adhesion to bony surfaces
Each factor can lead to ischaemia or infection, thus complicating the healing process.
What are the general complications of wounds?
- Shock
- Crush syndrome
- Compartment syndrome
These complications can arise from severe trauma or extensive tissue damage.
What are some early complications of wound healing?
- Seroma
- Hematoma
- Wound disruption
- Superficial wound infection
- Deep wound infection
These complications can occur shortly after the injury and require timely management.
Define keloid.
An abnormal scar that grows beyond the boundaries of the original wound, often involving surrounding skin and is tender to touch.
Treatment options include corticosteroid injections, compression devices, and surgery.
What is a hypertrophic scar?
A widened scar that does not extend beyond the original boundaries of the wound and regresses in size over time.
Treatment is similar to keloids, with surgical options yielding good results.
What does the mnemonic ABCDE stand for in wound management?
- A: Airway and C-spine stabilization
- B: Breathing
- C: Circulation
- D: Disability
- E: Environment and Exposure
This mnemonic helps prioritize treatment in emergency situations.
What is the best way to stop bleeding from a wound?
Direct local compression by applying a sterile dressing and tight bandage.
Tourniquets should not be applied unless absolutely necessary.
What is the protocol for managing contaminated wounds?
Do not perform nerve or tendon repair, and do not close the deep fascia or skin.
Thorough cleaning and exploration are essential in contaminated cases.
