title: Delayed wound closure: indications and techniques.
abstract: Delayed wound closure should be used in wounds that are contaminated or contain devitalized tissue. The wound should be left open for three to four days for observation to determine if infection is present or if the tissues are devitalized. This management technique allows the physician to control infection and provide surgical debridement. Leaving the wound open provides the opportunity to inspect and evaluate the wound to determine if a problem is present. The wound then can be repaired with minimal risk. It is beneficial that the wound healing process is not delayed using this technique of wound closure.
authors.affiliation: Division of General Surgery, University of Alabama, Birmingham.
authors.forename: A R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Dimick
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D012038:Regeneration; D013997:Time Factors; D014945:Wound Healing; D014946:Wound Infection / Q000517:prevention & control; D014950:Wounds, Penetrating / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*