Definitions and guidelines for assessment of wounds and evaluation of healing.
BACKGROUND
Chronic wounds represent a worldwide problem. For laboratory and clinical research to adequately address this problem, a common language needs to exist.


METHODS
This language should include a system of wound classification, a lexicon of wound descriptors, and a description of the processes that are likely to affect wound healing and wound healing end points.


CONCLUSIONS
The report that follows defines wound, acute wound, chronic wound, healing and forms of healing, wound assessment, wound extent, wound burden, and wound severity. The utility of these definitions is demonstrated as they relate to the healing of a skin wound, but these definitions are broadly applicable to all wounds.
Lazarus
G S
GS
Dean's Office, University of California-Davis.
Cooper
D M
DM
Knighton
D R
DR
Margolis
D J
DJ
Pecoraro
R E
RE
Rodeheaver
G
G
Robson
M C
MC
D000208:Acute Disease; D002908:Chronic Disease; D006801:Humans; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D003668:Pressure Ulcer / Q000175:diagnosis*; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012867:Skin / Q000293:injuries*; D009626:Terminology as Topic; D014945:Wound Healing; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000145:classification / Q000175:diagnosis*