Bite Wounds
Key Practice Points ▪ All animal bites exhibit similarities, but there are enough differences that each one needs to be evaluated and managed individually. ▪ The most important steps in…
ANESTHESIA
Infiltration and Nerve Block Anesthesia
Key Practice Points ▪ A gentle and empathetic approach to patients is necessary when administering local anesthesia because of the near universal fear of injections and needles. ▪ The onset…
Basic Laceration Repair: Principles and Techniques
Key Practice Points ▪ Applying the principles of wound closure is key to acceptable wound and scar appearance. ▪ Matching the layers of the wound surfaces with sutures is critical…
Instruments, Suture Materials, and Closure Choices
Key Practice Points ▪ Lacerations and wounds can be managed with a few well-chosen instruments: needle holders, tissue forceps, and scissors. ▪ Each instrument requires special handling (described in this…
Decisions before Closure: Timing, Débridement, and Consultation
Key Practice Points ▪ Because wounds are often contaminated with bacteria, there is a time limit (the “golden period”) between the laceration and closure with sutures. It varies between 6…
Wound Cleansing and Irrigation
Key Practice Points ▪ Thorough wound cleansing and irrigation are the most important steps in repairing wounds and lacerations. ▪ Povidone-iodine solution (not scrub preparation) is the most effective skin,…
Emergency Wound Care: An Overview
Key Practice Points ▪ The average laceration cared for by emergency caregivers is 1 to 3 cm in length, with 13% of lacerations considered significantly contaminated. ▪ The most common…
Patient Evaluation and Wound Assessment
Key Practice Points ▪ To prevent unexpected syncope and to provide for patient comfort during wound care, the patient is placed in the supine position. Parents or friends, who want…
Wound Care and the Pediatric Patient
Key Practice Points ▪ Addressing the emotional needs of children and parents is as important as wound care. ▪ If the history is inconsistent with the wounds, physical abuse of…
Wound Healing and Cosmetic Outcome
Key Practice Points ▪ All lacerations produce scars. ▪ The function of a scar is to repair a wound with collagen, not to restore the original appearance of the injured…
