title: Assessment and management of patients with surgical cavity wounds.
abstract: This article explores the management of surgical cavity wounds. The effectiveness of healing depends on wound assessment and constant re-evaluation of the management strategy adopted. Management strategies should be holistic and take into account the wound bed and local and systemic barriers to healing, as well as patients' thoughts and concerns about their wound. Nurses have a pivotal role in wound management and dressing selection, and should aim to keep up to date in this dynamic specialty.
authors.affiliation: Papworth Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Cambridge. fiona.murphy@papworth.nhs.uk
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Murphy
mesh_terms: D001294:Attitude to Health; D001458:Bandages; D003646:Debridement; D006694:Holistic Health; D006801:Humans; D006813:Humidity; D017053:Infection Control / Q000379:methods; D024802:Nurse's Role; D009730:Nursing Assessment / Q000379:methods*; D015596:Nutrition Assessment; D011182:Postoperative Care / Q000451:nursing*; D017592:Skin Care / Q000451:nursing*; D013396:Suction / Q000379:methods; D013997:Time Factors; D014945:Wound Healing; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000451:nursing*