Types of Wounds

Open

Close

Open Wounds

Abrasions

Incisions

Lacerations

Punctures

Avulsions

Amputations

Close Wounds

Petechiae

Contusion

Hematoma

Types of Wounds

Many wounds are combinations of two or more of these basic types

Incised wounds

caused by a clean, sharp-edged object

involve only the epidermislegally classified as a cuts rather than a wound

tend to bleed freelyblood vessels are cut cleanly and without ragged edges

little damage to the surrounding tissues

least likely to become infectedfree flow of blood washes out many of the microorganisms

that cause infection

Lacerations

wounds are torn rather than cut

ragged irregular edges and masses of torn

tissue underneath

irregular wounds:

– blunt impact to soft tissue that lies over hard tissue

laceration of the skin covering the skull

– tearing of skin and other tissues

childbirth

– rough brushing against a surface

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/c5/Laceration%2C_leg.jpg

Lacerations

show bridgingconnective tissue or blood vessels are flattened

against the underlying hard surface

term laceration is commonly misused in

reference to injury with sharp objects

– not display bridging (connective tissue and

blood vessels are severed)

usually bigger and can cause more tissue

damage due to the size of the wound

Lacerations

dull knife

bomb fragments

accidents with machinery are lacerations

often complicated by crushing of the tissues

frequently contaminateddirt

grease

materials ground into the tissue

very likely to become infected

Abrasions (grazes)

superficial wounds

– topmost layer of the skin (epidermis) is

scraped off

infected quite easily dirt and germs are usually embedded in the tissues

bleeding not profuseneed medical attention for disinfection

Abrasions (grazes)

often caused sliding fall onto a rough surface

rope burns

floor burns

skinned knees or elbows

Puncture wounds

objects penetrate into the tissues leaving a small surface opening

Nails

Needles

Wire

Bullets

As a rule

– small puncture wounds do not bleed freely

– large puncture wounds may cause severe internal bleeding

Puncture wounds

wounds though not large in surface area

are deep and can cause great internal

damage

possibility of infection is great in all

puncture wounds

to prevent anaerobic infections primary closures are not made

Penetrating wounds

object entering the bodyknife

Gunshot wounds

caused by a bullet or similar projectile driving into or through the body

two wounds - through-and-throughsite of entry

site of exit

Profuse bleeding

Serious internal injury

victims are in great pain

can suck in the contaminants from the air susceptible to infection

In a medical context, stab wounds and gunshot wounds are considered major wounds

Gunshot wounds

low-velocity missile damages only the tissues it comes into contact with

velocity of wound-causing missiles (bullets or shrapnel)

high-velocity missile can do enormous damage by forcing the tissues and body parts away from the track of the missile with a velocity only slightly less than that of the missile itself. These tissues, especially bone, may become damage-causing missiles themselves, thus accentuating the destructive effects of the missile

AVULSION

tearing away of tissue from a body part

bleeding is usually heavy

In certain situations, the torn tissue may

be surgically reattachedwrapping in a sterile dressing placing

in a cool container

rushing it-along with the victim-to a medical

facility

Do not allow the avulsed portion to freeze

Do not immerse it in water or saline

AVULSION

AMPUTATION

nonsurgical removal of the limb from the body

bleeding is heavytourniquet to stop the flow

shock is certain to develop

limb can often be successfully reattached

wrap the limb in a sterile dressing

place in a cool container

transport it to the hospital with the victim

Do not allow the limb to be in direct contact with

ice

Do not immerse in water or saline

AMPUTATION

AMPUTATION

CLOSED WOUNDS

have fewer categories

as dangerous as open wounds

types of closed woundsPetechiae

Contusion

Hematoma

Crushing Injuries

Petechia

circumscribed extravasation of blood in the

subcutaneous tissue or underneath the mucous

membrane

passage of blood from the capiliaries may be

due to the increase intra-capillary pressure or

increased permeability of the vessel

hemorrhage may be small or pinhead sized

may coalesce to form a bigger hemorrhagic area

Petechia is not always a product of trauma

Contusions

commonly known as bruises

caused by blunt force trauma or a hard

punch or knock rupture certain brittle capillaries that are found

under the skin

blood then leaks into the tissues

"blue-black" discoloration

occasional splitting of the skin

Contusions

Contusions

red sometimes purple soon after its complete

development

4 to 5 days - color changes to green

7 to 10 days - becomes yellow

14 to 15 days - gradually disappears

The ultimate disappearance of color varies from

one to four weeks depending upon the severity

and the constitution of the body

color changes start from the periphery inwards

HEMATOMAS

blood tumors

damage to blood

vessel

– blood to collect under

the skin

blunt instrument is

applied in part of the

body whewere bony

tissue is superficially

located

HEMATOMAS

force applied causes

the subcutaneous

tissue will lead to the

accumulation of blood

causing it to elevate

Crushing injuries

caused by a great or extreme amount of

force applied over a long period of time

Causes of Wounds

Knowing what has caused the wound may

give you some idea of the probable size of the wound

general nature

extent to which it is likely to become contaminated

with foreign matter

special dangers must be guarded against