|
|
Section
2b. Phases
of Cutaneous Wound Healing
|
Although the type of wound, timing of wound closure, and wound care
techniques used may vary, the process of healing and
the factors affecting the healing process are
basically the same for all wounds.
There are five major inter-related and
overlapping phases to the healing process.
Each phase utilizes the cell and matrix
components previously described.
-
Inflammatory Phase (Immediate
Onset)
Components:
The
initial phase of healing requires the onset of wound
inflammation. This
process consists of an initial activation of clotting
to seal bleeding vessels, increased vessel
permeability to allow for antibodies and fibrin
to enter the tissues.
Increased blood flow through
vasodilatation then occurs, as does an accumulation
of neutrophils in the wound within minutes of
injury to help prevent invasive infection
Neutrophils require oxygen to kill bacteria
so early defenses are dependent on blood flow,
delivering oxygen to the wound.
Activation of inflammation sends out chemical
messages, which also attract macrophages to the
wound. These
long lived cells (weeks) orchestrate the remaining
states of wound healing through the release of a
variety of polypeptides known as growth factors
which produce the various wound healing messages.
|
Components:
|
|
Impairments:
-
inadequate O2 for host defenses
-
corticosteroids stopping the process
-
tissue damage
-
excessive inflammation
|
| Figure
3: Inflammatory
phase: |
|
|
| Increased blood flow and
congestion is evident by the increased number
of red cells. The increase in neutrophils
(dark segmented cells) is also evident as well
as the increased protein exudates (pink
substance). |
Prev
Next
|
