COMPLEX WOUND MANAGEMENT

Course overview

WOUND HEALING IS A CRITICAL PHYSIOLOGICAL PROCESS TO MAINTAIN THE INTEGRITY OF THE SKIN AS A MECHANICAL BARRIER AFTER TRAUMA. IT CAN BE GENERALLY DIVIDED INTO HEMOSTATIC, INFLAMMATORY, PROLIFERATIVE, AND REMODELING PHASES. COMPLEX WOUNDS CLASSICALLY ARREST IN THE INFLAMMATORY PHASE WITHOUT FURTHER PROGRESSION. MANY FACTORS CAN LEAD TO THIS, INCLUDING POOR SYSTEMIC CONDITIONS OR POOR LOCAL TISSUE ENVIRONMENTS SUCH AS VASCULAR COMPROMISE OR INFECTION. PROPER UNDERSTANDING OF THE HEALING PROCESS IS ESSENTIAL WHEN ADDRESSING ANY COMPLEX WOUND. THIS ACTIVITY REVIEWS THE EVALUATION AND TREATMENT OF COMPLEX WOUNDS AND HIGHLIGHTS THE IMPORTANCE OF THE INTERPROFESSIONAL TEAM APPROACH WHEN EVALUATING PATIENTS WITH THIS CONDITION.