Wound healing and management of open wounds
Abstract
This article will look at recognizing the different stages of wound healing, the different types of open wounds and how they are classified. It will discuss principles of wound management, the lavage and debridement of wounds, and the nurse's role in these techniques. There will be discussion on the numerous types of wound dressings available, along with advancements in wound management.
For veterinary nurses to effectively manage any type of wound it is important that they are able to first determine the type of wound and then understand the stage the wound is at in the healing process. This will enable the nurse to assist the clinician in planning the most appropriate protocol for managing the wound and optimizing healing.
By recognizing the stages of healing and the principles of wound management nurses are also better equipped to undertake dressing changes and give feedback to owners on the progress being made.
A wound is described as the disruption of the continuity of cells and structures through injury. Wound healing is referred to as the physiological function that restores the continuity of tissues following injury (Hosgood, 2009).
Classically, wound healing can be divided into three phases inflammatory, proliferative and the remodelling phase (Hollis, 2010). The phases are not always distinct; overlap can be seen as one phase leads on to the next.
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