title: Proper care of early wounds to optimize healing and prevent complications.
abstract: Proper wound care has broad applications for all clinicians. Much of the future direction for enhancing wound repair focuses on key cells and growth factors, which is why possessing a strong understanding of the basic physiology of wound healing is imperative. This article first provides a thorough review of the phases of wound healing followed by a discussion on the latest wound management strategies. Wound conditions and surgical techniques are important components for optimizing wound healing and preventing complications. Special consideration has been given to the unique settings of contaminated wounds, open wounds, or avulsed tissue.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, Medical University of South Carolina, 135 Rutledge Avenue, Charleston, SC 29425, USA.
authors.forename: Geoffrey B
authors.initials: GB
authors.lastname: Pitzer
authors.forename: Krishna G
authors.initials: KG
authors.lastname: Patel
mesh_terms: D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001458:Bandages; D019274:Botulinum Toxins, Type A / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002921:Cicatrix / Q000517:prevention & control*; D003902:Detergents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D006931:Hyperbaric Oxygenation; D054843:Negative-Pressure Wound Therapy; D009465:Neuromuscular Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D009747:Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods; D013530:Surgical Wound Infection / Q000517:prevention & control*; D058106:Wound Closure Techniques; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D000890:Anti-Infective Agents; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D003902:Detergents; D009465:Neuromuscular Agents; D019274:Botulinum Toxins, Type A