Open vs Closed wounds

Common surgical conditions - wounds

What is an open wound?

An open wound is an injury that breaks the skin or mucous membranes, exposing the internal tissues and blood to the external environment.

Name 3 types of open wounds as well as what they are…

• Incisions - Clean, straight cuts caused by sharp objects.

• Lacerations - Irregular, jagged tears in the skin caused by blunt trauma.

• Abrasion - Superficial wound caused by friction or scrapping against rough surfaces.

• Puncture/Penetration - Deep, narrow wounds caused by sharp objects.

• Avulsion - Tissue is forcibly detached from its normal position (e.g. degloving).

What is a closed wound?

Closed wounds are injurys where the skin barrier is unbroken but the underlying tissues, muscles, blood vessels or organs are damaged.

Name 2 types of closed wounds as well as what they are…

• Contusions (bruises) - Internal bleeding and swelling caused by blunt trauma.

• Hematomas - Localised blood collections under the skin.

• Crush injuries - Severe tissue compression injuries (e.g. strangulation by wire).