What is a Laceration Wound?
A laceration is a wound in the muscle, tissue or skin that is cut open. These wounds may be wide or narrow, deep or shallow and most occur after striking an object. Laceration repair requires cleaning and preparing the wound, following by proper closure.
Minor lacerations do not need medication attention and heal on their own with a bandage and ointment.
Those that do require attention need proper cleaning and preparation to prevent infection and reduce scarring. Cleaning removes any bacteria and dirt from the wound while preparation events out the edges so scarring is less visible.
Sutures
Sutures, or stitches, are mostly used for deep or jagged wounds, or those that expose fat or even muscle. Iodine is first applied to the edges and the skin. For very deep lacerations, sutures will first be applied under the skin before the wound is sealed. These sutures aid in tissue and muscle healing and do not need to be removed later.
Open Wounds
There are many types of open wounds, such as incisions, which are caused by a sharp object like glass or a knife. Lacerations are tearing wounds caused by blunt trauma. An abrasion, or graze, is merely a superficial wound that is caused by scraping something such as asphalt. Puncture wounds are caused by a puncture, as from a nail or a needle. Penetration wounds are caused by on object that enters and exits the skin, while gunshot wounds are caused by a projective that is driven into or through the body.
Treatment
The right treatment for an open wound depends on the type and the depth, as well as any other structures in the body harmed. The first stage of treatment is examination, followed by cleaning and closing. Puncture wounds are particularly prone to infection so the entry wound is usually left open so bacteria may be removed.
Wound Cleaning
Simple wounds may be cleaned with antiseptic, sterile saline or tap water, provided the water quality is high in the area. Most clean wounds do not need antibiotics unless bacterial cultures come back positive. Wounds should be cleaned twice per day with warm water and gentle soap and then covered with a moist gauze that won’t stick. Wounds should never be closed if there is a possibility of infection.
Wound Closure
Incisions caused by a sharp object must be trimmed and cleaned thoroughly. Fresh wounds may be closed with sutures, although wounds older than 24 hours should not be closed until the possibility of infection is ruled out. Wounds may be closed using many techniques, including sutures, staples, cyanoacrylate glue and clean bandages.