A rational approach to the outpatient management of lacerations in pediatric patients.
Lacerations are a frequent reason for pediatric health care visits. Many are referred to EDs or to surgical specialists but may be treated by the pediatrician who has the time and interest in maintaining wound care skills. Although skin closure is often viewed as the primary event in wound care, local anesthesia and wound toilet are equally important aspects in which expertise is often undervalued. On occasion, patient anxiety and resistance complicates wound care, and a variety of sedative techniques facilitates completion of procedures that otherwise would require general anesthesia. Adherence to basic principles and the occasional use of innovations in wound care enable the clinician to bring about optimal outcomes.
Kanegaye
J T
JT
Division of Emergency Medicine, Children's Hospital and Health Center, San Diego, California, USA.
D000293:Adolescent; D000556:Ambulatory Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods* / Q000523:psychology; D000772:Anesthesia, Local / Q000379:methods; D019162:Anesthetics, Combined / Q000008:administration & dosage; D019072:Antibiotic Prophylaxis; D000985:Antisepsis / Q000379:methods; D001733:Bites and Stings / Q000628:therapy; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003646:Debridement / Q000379:methods; D004864:Equipment and Supplies; D005239:Fear / Q000187:drug effects / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives / Q000008:administration & dosage; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D011818:Rabies / Q000517:prevention & control; D012867:Skin / Q000293:injuries*; D013536:Suture Techniques / Q000295:instrumentation; D013742:Tetanus / Q000517:prevention & control; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000502:physiology; D014946:Wound Infection / Q000517:prevention & control*; D014950:Wounds, Penetrating / Q000601:surgery*
D019162:Anesthetics, Combined; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives