title: Revolutionary advances in the management of traumatic wounds in the emergency department during the last 40 years: part I.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This report provides an overview of advances in wound repair devised by our research team during the last four decades. This collective review is presented in two parts.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The following components are included in Part I: 1) search and treat life-threatening trauma; 2) conduct a thorough history; 3) examine the wound using aseptic technique; 4) anesthetize the wound before cleansing; 5) hair removal, skin disinfection, hemostasis, surgical debridement, and mechanical cleansing; 6) antibiotics, drains, and open wound management.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  On the basis of these comprehensive research studies, we have noted a marked reduction in the incidence of wound infection in traumatic wounds.
authors.affiliation: University of Virginia Health Systems, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA.
authors.forename: Richard F
authors.initials: RF
authors.lastname: Edlich
authors.forename: George T
authors.initials: GT
authors.lastname: Rodeheaver
authors.forename: John G
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Thacker
authors.forename: Kant Y
authors.initials: KY
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.forename: David B
authors.initials: DB
authors.lastname: Drake
authors.forename: Shelley S
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Mason
authors.forename: Courtney A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Wack
authors.forename: Margot E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Chase
authors.forename: Curt
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Tribble
authors.forename: William B
authors.initials: WB
authors.lastname: Long
authors.forename: Robert J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Vissers
mesh_terms: D000772:Anesthesia, Local; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004203:Disinfection; D006204:Hair Removal; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D017053:Infection Control / Q000379:methods; D014946:Wound Infection / Q000517:prevention & control*; D014950:Wounds, Penetrating / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000601:surgery / Q000628:therapy*
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents