The following symptoms and complaints may indicate open wounds: Pathognomonic (evidencing a disease). Skin defect Main symptoms Bleeding Pain Secondary symptoms Secondary symptoms depending on the accompanying injuries (muscles, vessels, nerves, bones, organs) – see below diseases or complications that may be caused by open wounds with.
Pathogenesis (development of disease) There are many causes of an open wound (see below). Wound healing proceeds in the following phases: Exudative phase (hemostasis (hemostasis)) – in the first hours or until day 1 after injury. Immigration and aggregation (clustering of individual cells into associations) of platelets (blood clots). Release of cytokines (proteins that play … Open Wound: Causes
General measures Note: In the primary care of wounds, do not use home remedies such as flour, honey, powder, etc.. These can do more harm than good. Wound treatment should follow the following procedure: In the case of vascular injury, the main focus is to stop the bleeding. Applying pressure to the wound is usually … Open Wound: Therapy
The following are the most important diseases or complications that may be contributed to by open wounds: Respiratory system (J00-J99) Pulmonary emphysema * –condition in which there is increased air in the lungs. Tension pneumothorax * -life-threatening form of pneumothorax in which increased pressure in the pleural space causes problems with blood flow to the … Open Wound: Secondary Diseases
Wounds can be classified as follows: Mechanically caused wounds Leathering wound Larger areas of skin are separated from the deeper soft tissue layers by applied force (blunt force) Separation wound Incomplete amputation of a body part Bite wound Caused by bites from the animal, but also from humans. The risk of infection is very high … Open Wound: Classification
A comprehensive clinical examination is the basis for selecting further diagnostic steps: Assessment after traumatic brain injury (TBI) is performed with the Glasgow Coma Scale (see TBI/Physical Examination below). General physical examination – including blood pressure, pulse, body weight, height; furthermore: Inspection (viewing) of open wound and surrounding area [concomitant injuries? DMS check: blood flow? … Open Wound: Examination
2nd order laboratory parameters – depending on the results of the history, physical examination, etc. – for differential diagnostic clarification Small blood count Inflammatory parameters – CRP (C-reactive protein). Coagulation parameters – PTT, Quick Swabs (depending on the cause of the wound).
Therapy goals Elimination of the pathogens Avoidance of wound infection Therapy recommendations Antibiotic prophylaxis or therapy should be given for the following indications (duration: 3-5 days): Primarily open and contaminated wounds. Delayed wound care Bite wounds (animal and human bites; increased risk of infection in cats) Cave: puncture wounds of dogs that are closed during … Open Wound: Drug Therapy
Optional medical device diagnostics – depending on the results of the medical history, physical examination, and obligatory laboratory parameters – for differential diagnostic clarification (in the case of concomitant injuries, foreign bodies) X-ray diagnostics of the musculoskeletal system – X-rays of the injured region are the first medical device diagnostics leading the way for further … Open Wound: Diagnostic Tests
Wound cleansing precedes further surgical procedures: Wound cleansing (preferably with disposable gloves), i.e., removal of dirt or foreign bodies, followed by irrigation of the wound with plenty of fluid for bacterial germ reduction; saline solution (NaCl 0.9%) is suitable, but tap water is also sufficient. Notice: Primary wound closure is achieved by primary suture (surgical … Open Wound: Surgical Therapy
Medical history (history of the patient) represents an important component in the diagnosis of open wound. Family history Social history What is your occupation? Current medical history/systemic history (somatic and psychological complaints). Where, in what situation, and how did you injure yourself/fall? Was there an adequate or inadequate injury (accident)? Did the open wound result … Open Wound: Medical History
