Wound is a type of physical trauma wherein the skin is torn, cut or punctured to creat an open wound or where blunt force trauma causes a contusion to creat a closed wound.
In pathology, wound specifically refers to a sharp injury which damages the dermis of the skin.
The types of open wound are incisions or incised wounds - incisions which involve only the epidermis are classified as cuts, rather than wounds. Lacerations - irregular wounds caused by a blunt impact to soft tissue which lies over hard tissue. Abrasions (grazes) - a superficial wound in which the topmost layers of the skin (the epidermis) are scraped off, often caused by a sliding fall onto a rough surface. Puncture wounds - caused by an object puncturing the skin, such as a nail or needle. Penetration wounds - caused by an object such as a knife entering the body. Gunshot wounds - caused by a bullet or similar projectile driving into or through the body.
Since the open wound is a disruption of normal anatomic structure and function (Lazarus GS et al., 1994) it can be classified in many ways. We may call it an acute or chronic wound depending upon its nature or duration or type. By definition, an acute wound is acquired as a result of trauma or an operative procedure and proceeds normally in a timely fashion along the healing pathway with least external manifestations without complications (Cooper DM, 1992). Surgically created wounds include all incisions, excisions, and wounds that are surgically debrided and non-surgical wounds include all skin lesions that occurred as a result of trauma (e.g., burns, falls) are acute wounds are usually successfully managed with local wound care. Wounds that fail to heal in the anticipated time frame and often recur are considered chronic wounds. These wounds present major challenges to health-care professionals and have serious consequences for patient quality of life. These wounds are visible evidence of an underlying condition such as extended pressure on the tissues, poor circulation, or even poor nutrition. Pressure ulcers, venous leg ulcers, and diabetic foot ulcers are examples of chronic wounds. Successful management of chronic wounds demands treatment of the whole body of the person who is suffering with such wounds. It involves meticulous local wound care, an understanding to diagnose the reason for the specific wound and to treat the underlying cause, a working knowledge of modern wound dressings, and correction and management of the patient’s underlying conditions for effective recovery and management.
The types of open wound are incisions or incised wounds - incisions which involve only the epidermis are classified as cuts, rather than wounds. Lacerations - irregular wounds caused by a blunt impact to soft tissue which lies over hard tissue. Abrasions (grazes) - a superficial wound in which the topmost layers of the skin (the epidermis) are scraped off, often caused by a sliding fall onto a rough surface. Puncture wounds - caused by an object puncturing the skin, such as a nail or needle. Penetration wounds - caused by an object such as a knife entering the body. Gunshot wounds - caused by a bullet or similar projectile driving into or through the body.
Since the open wound is a disruption of normal anatomic structure and function (Lazarus GS et al., 1994) it can be classified in many ways. We may call it an acute or chronic wound depending upon its nature or duration or type. By definition, an acute wound is acquired as a result of trauma or an operative procedure and proceeds normally in a timely fashion along the healing pathway with least external manifestations without complications (Cooper DM, 1992). Surgically created wounds include all incisions, excisions, and wounds that are surgically debrided and non-surgical wounds include all skin lesions that occurred as a result of trauma (e.g., burns, falls) are acute wounds are usually successfully managed with local wound care. Wounds that fail to heal in the anticipated time frame and often recur are considered chronic wounds. These wounds present major challenges to health-care professionals and have serious consequences for patient quality of life. These wounds are visible evidence of an underlying condition such as extended pressure on the tissues, poor circulation, or even poor nutrition. Pressure ulcers, venous leg ulcers, and diabetic foot ulcers are examples of chronic wounds. Successful management of chronic wounds demands treatment of the whole body of the person who is suffering with such wounds. It involves meticulous local wound care, an understanding to diagnose the reason for the specific wound and to treat the underlying cause, a working knowledge of modern wound dressings, and correction and management of the patient’s underlying conditions for effective recovery and management.
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