Key Practice Points ▪ Most lacerations can be closed with one or two simple techniques. However, some wounds and lacerations are more complicated and require advanced repair techniques to close….

Key Practice Points ▪ Wounds heal faster and with less pain when a moist environment is created by an ointment or a dressing. ▪ Neat, well-applied dressings inspire the patient…

Key Practice Points ▪ The first responsibility of a clinician when evaluating a burn patient is to ensure that there is no airway involvement, inhalation injury, associated trauma, constricting burn,…

Key Practice Points ▪ Although scalp lacerations can appear small and innocuous, they can bleed profusely to the point of hypotension. ▪ Hair does not increase the risk of wound…

Key Practice Points ▪ Alternatives to sutures for wound closure include wound adhesives, tapes, and staples. For the most part, all wound closure materials ultimately have the same cosmetic outcome….

Key Practice Points ▪ The most common soft tissue foreign bodies (FBs) are wood, metal, and glass. ▪ Foreign bodies, such as wood, should be removed if they are reactive,…

Key Practice Points ▪ Suture removal times vary from 4 to 14 days depending on the location of the laceration. ▪ Sutures are removed from the face within 4 to…

Key Practice Points ▪ In recent years, there has been a threefold increase in superficial soft tissue infections (SSTI) including abscesses. The rise in community-acquired methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (CA-MRSA) is…

Key Practice Points ▪ All patients with abrasions, lacerations, burns, or other wounds require a tetanus immunization history. ▪ Tetanus occurs almost exclusively in patients with incomplete primary immunization. ▪…

Key Practice Points ▪ Deep cutaneous and necrotizing infections are often heralded by severe pain before skin signs appear. ▪ Microorganisms responsible for deep infections can include community-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus…