An update on wound management.

Abstract

This article provides an update on wound management with wound diagnosis and treatment discussed in terms of the normal cellular events of the wound healing process. The role of growth factors as cell regulators, the importance of wound fluids to wound metabolism, and the deleterious effects of some wound cleansers, disinfectants, and modalities are reviewed. Treatment guidelines are suggested based on negative or positive cellular response to individual management techniques. Wound evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment are considered in terms of a new color concept that simplifies clinical decision making. An explanation of the relatively new microenvironmental dressings designed to maintain wound humidity and speed wound healing is provided. A more physiologic approach to managing the simple and complex wound may prove to speed the process of epithelialization, contraction, and collagen deposition while diminishing the problems associated with delayed or inadequate healing. The wound healing process is subject to manipulation and facilitation by the clinician, a concept that is certain to receive much attention in the next decade. The importance of a scientific approach to this aspect of our discipline cannot be overemphasized.