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PHASES OF WOUND HEALING

The wound healing process is a dynamic process which can be divided into three phases
and its not linear and often wounds can progress both forwards and back through the phases
depending upon various factors such as infection, or other causes of wound chronicity.
The phases of wound healing are inflammatory phase, proliferation phase and maturation
phase. The first phase is the bodys natural response to injury. After initial injury, the blood
vessels there will contract and a clot is formed to achieve hemostasis. Then, dilation of blood
vessels will occur to allow cytokines, antibodies, white blood cells, growth factors, enzymes and
nutrients to reach the area. Release of vasoactive substances from stromal mast cells will make
small vessels permeable to molecular and cellular mediators of the inflammatory response. It is
at this stage that signs of inflammation can be seen (erythema, heat, edema, pain). Chemotaxis
results in migration and concentration of polymorphonuclear leukocytes that digest bacteria,
foreign debris, and necrotic tissue with lysosomal enzymes.
Then, in the second phase, the injured area is reconstructed with new granulation tissues
consisting of collagen and extracellular matrix, into which angiogenesis develop. The color and
condition of the granulation tissue can be the indicator of how the wound is healing. Dark
granulation tissue can mean poor perfusion, ischemia or infection at the wound site. Healthy
granulation tissue is pink/ red in colour, and doesnt bleed easily. To achieve this, it is important
that the fibroblasts receive adequate oxygen and nutrient supply from the vessels.
Third phase will occur after the wound has closed and comprises of remodeling of
collagen (type 3, type 1 predominate in skin and aponeurosis). Both number of blood vessels and
cellular activity will decrease in this phase. Approximately 80 percent of the original strength of
the tissue is obtained by six weeks after surgery, but the diameter and morphology of collagen
fibers do not have the appearance of normal skin until about 180 days.

WOUND HEALING : PRIMARY AND SECONDARY INTENTION

(a) Healing by first intention/1o union

Clean or uninfected wound , surgically incised


Without much loss from cells/tissue
wound edges approximated by surgical sutures
Sequence:
initial hemorrhage (blood clots seals wound against dehydration + infection)
acute inflammatory response epithelial changes (basal cells proliferate +
migrate towards incisional space, forms scab - separate viable dermis & necrotic
material, multilayered new epidermis formed (Day 5) organization (fibroblasts
invade on Day 3, collagen fibrils form on Day 5 until healing, scar tissue with scanty
cellular and vascular elements are formed in Week 4)

(b) Healing by second intention/2o union

open with large tissue defect (+/- infection)


extensive loss of cells/tissues
wound not approximated by surgical suture, but left open
Sequence:
Initial hemorrhage inflammatory phase epithelial changes granulation
tissues (main healing process - mature scar is pale and white due to more collagen,
less vascularity, hair follicles/sweat glands NOT replaced) wound contraction
(myofibroblasts contract wound to 1/3 or 1/4 of original size)
Presence of infection- Bacterial contamination delays the process of healing due to
release of bacterial toxins that provoke necrosis, suppuration and thrombosis. Surgical removal of dead and necrosed tissue, (debridement) helps in this condition.

Difference in sequence:
2o union has larger tissue defect, slower, ugly scar formed, more inflammation + granulation
tissue + scarring
wound contraction only in 2o union

Difference in overall

Primary Union

Secondary Union

Clean

Unclean

Usually not infected

+/- infection

Margins surgical clean

Irregular margin

Sutures used

Sutures not used

Scanty granulation tissue at


incised gap

Exuberant granulation tissue to fill gap

Neat linear scar

Contracted irregular wound

Complications infrequent

Common complications
Infection of wound - delay healing
Implantation (epidermal) cyst
Rust coloured pigmentation (hemosiderin)
Deficient scar formation - inadequate
granulation tissue formation
Incisional hernia/wound dehiscence
Hypertrophied scars/keloid (excessive, ugly,
painful scars)
Excessive contraction - Duputyrens
contracture
Neoplasia Squamous cell carcinoma in
Marjolins ulcer

WOUND CLOSURE

Primary wound closure is preferred to close an open wound if possible. Suture is made to bring
the skin edges together, and patient only need to keep the suture clean and dry.
Pros
1

A wound closed primarily heals much more quickly and with less pain.

2
3

Primary closure involves fewer problems with abnormal scarring


All vital, underlying structures are covered.

Contraindications to Primary Wound Closure


Concern about wound infection is the main reason not to close a wound primarily. If infection
develops, the resultant deformity may be worse than that caused by the initial injury alone. The
following circumstances are associated with an unacceptably high risk of infection:
1
2
3
4
5

An acute wound > 6 hours old (with the exception of facial wounds)
Foreign debris in the wound that cannot be completely removed (e.g., a wound with a lot
of embedded dirt that you cannot clean completely)
Active oozing of blood from the wound
Dead space under the skin closure
Too much tension on the wound

Delayed primary wound closure


Delayed primary closure is a compromise between primary repair and allowing an acute wound
to heal secondarily. This option may be considered for a wound with characteristics that require
secondary closure(e.g., a wound over 6 hours old) even though primary closure is preferable.
Initially treat the wound with wet-to-dry dressing changes for a few (23) days with the hope of
being able to suture the wound closed within 34 days. The dressings should clean the wound,
the tissue swelling caused by the trauma may subside, and all bleeding may be fully controlled.
In conclusion
Primary wound closure is done, if injury healed within 6 hours and if it is clean wound. This is to
prevent infection. But this method is good for faster recovery of healing.
Delayed primary wound closure, after 2-3 days of wet-to-dry dressing to remove the debris and
control the oedema or bleeding. If no sign of infection, primary closure is done on day 3 or 4.

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