Wound Classification - Clean wound: made under sterile conditions, likely to heal without complications - Contaminated wound: resulting from accidental injury, contains pathogenic organisms and foreign bodies - Infected wound: pathogenic organisms present and multiplying, exhibits clinical signs of infection - Colonised wound: chronic situation, contains pathogenic organisms, difficult to heal - Critical wounds: including large burns, can cause serious hydroelectrolytic and metabolic alterations

Types of Open Wounds - Incisions or incised wounds: caused by a clean, sharp-edged object - Lacerations: irregular tear-like wounds caused by blunt trauma - Abrasions (grazes): superficial wounds where the topmost layer of the skin is scraped off - Avulsions: injuries where a body structure is forcibly detached - Puncture wounds: caused by an object puncturing the skin

Types of Closed Wounds - Hematomas: caused by damage to a blood vessel, blood collects under the skin - Contusions: hematomas that originate from an external source of trauma - Crush injury: caused by a great or extreme amount of force applied over a long period of time

Wound Presentation and Diagnosis - Bacterial infection of wound can impede the healing process and lead to complications - Radiography is used to ensure there are no hidden bone fractures - Workup includes evaluating the wound, its extent, and severity - Cultures are obtained from the wound site and blood - X-rays are obtained and tetanus shot may be administered if necessary - Wound progress can be observed using techniques such as photographs with area quantification, wound tracings on acetate sheets, and Kundin wound gauge

Wound Management and Alternative Treatments - Treatment depends on the type, cause, and depth of the wound - Recent lacerations involve examining, cleaning, and closing the wound - Minor wounds like bruises will heal on their own - Abrasions require no active treatment except keeping the area clean - Puncture wounds may be prone to infection and the entry is left open to remove bacteria or debris - Closure techniques include bandages, cyanoacrylate glue, staples, and sutures - Dressings and creams containing silver do not have evidence of preventing infection or improving healing - Honey is more effective than antiseptic followed by gauze for healing infected surgical wounds - Therapeutic touch has no proven benefits in wound healing - Over 400 plant species have potential for wound healing, but research is limited - Only three randomised controlled trials have been conducted for the treatment of burns