BACKGROUND Several factors and patient characteristics influence the risk of surgical wound dehiscence and incisional hernia after midline laparotomy. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether a specified, or not specified, suture quota in the operative report affects the incidence of surgical wound complications and to describe the previously known risk factors for these complicatio...

Two hundred and seventeen total hip replacements were performed during a trial designed to assess the influence of a surgical isolator upon postoperative wound infection. The trial was controlled by performing 108 of the replacements in a standard plenumventilated theatre with twenty air changes/hr, which also housed the isolator procedures. Comparative postoperative wound infection rates were ...

Myofibroblasts after its discovery in 1971 as the principal cell for wound healing has come a long way as far as research is concerned. The primary focus of research has been regarding preventing certain unwanted effects of this cell such as wound contraction and scarring. As far as the oral and maxillofacial region is concerned, the primary concern of this untoward effect is during repair of c...

PURPOSE To provide an overview of moisture balance and its importance in wound healing. TARGET AUDIENCE This continuing education activity is intended for physicians and nurses with an interest in wound care. OBJECTIVES After reading this article and taking the test, the reader should be able to: 1. Discuss the wound healing process and wound assessment. 2. Describe the types of dressings a...

The variety of wound types has resulted in a wide range of wound dressings, with new products frequently being introduced to target different aspects of the wound healing process. The ideal wound dressing should achieve rapid healing at a reasonable cost, with minimal inconvenience to the patient. Microcurrent dressing, a novel wound dressing with inherent electric activity, can generate low-le...

Radiation therapy is a major therapeutic modality in the management of cancer patients. Over 60% of these patients receive radiotherapy at some point during their course of treatment and over 90% will develop skin reactions after therapy. Problematic wound healing in radiation-damaged tissue constitutes a major surgical difficulty and despite all efforts, irradiated skin remains a therapeutic c...