Abrasions, Lacerations, Incisions, & Penetrating Wounds

Resulting from friction of the skin against a firm object causing removal of the epidermis (outermost layer of skin):

Abrasion

A wound or irregular tear to the flesh:

Laceration

A clean cut into the tissue:

Incision

An area from which something has been cut out:

Excision

To remove by cutting:

Excise

- Putty-like substance

- Absorbent sealing adhesive that can be injected under the skin or applied to the surface tissues to establish skin contour

Mastic compound

Vary in size and length:

Abrasions

Deeper and extensive, as from dragging during a car crash, and may also contain lacerations:

Abrasions

Small and shallow, as from a fall:

Abrasions

The length of time between abrasion and death affects:

- The amount of dehydration

- The color of abrasion

- The amount of scabbing

Treatment of non-viewable abrasions:

- Seal abrasion with a sealer

- Cover with cotton

- Determine if plastic wrap or plastic garments is necessary

- Abrasions are typically very dry woulds

Treatment of viewable abrasions:

- Before embalming, cover area surrounding abrasion with massage cream (but not to the abrasion itself)

- Embalm

- Remove scabs after embalming

- Dry the are using a cauterizing agent

- Seal with a liquid sealer

- Add wax, recreating pores and facial markings

- Cosmetize

Abrasions are often very dark and may need cosmetic treatment _________ to applying wax

Prior

Irregularly torn/jagged wound:

Laceration

Very in length, depth, width and tissue damage:

Laceration

Typically caused by blunt-force trauma:

Laceration

Cleanly cut (even margins) wound:

Incision

Vary in length and width:

Incision

Typically caused by a sharp object such as a scalpel blade or a piece of glass or sharp metal:

Incision

Treatment of lacerations and incisions:

Tissue at or near the skin's surface will dictate which:

Suture

Worm suture in visible areas:

Laceration

Intradermal suture in visible areas:

Incision

Wounds entering the interior of an organ or cavity:

Penetration

Bullet entry or exit:

Penetration

Medical devices (feeding tubes):

Penetration

Punctures:

Penetration

Stab wounds:

Penetration

They can vary in size from very small to very large, requiring minimal restoration to large cavity restorations:

Penetration

A hole from a piercing injury:

Puncture

Pre-embalming puncture procedure:

- Remove scabs using a sharp instrument

- Cover the area with an emollient

Post-embalming puncture procedure:

Longer barrels create:

Faster moving bullets

A pistol is a:

Low(er) velocity

Wounds from close range are typically ______________ severe than those from a distance

More

Bullets can ricochet inside the body, damaging the:

Circulatory system and/or internal organs

Entrance wounds:

Smaller, cleaner

Exit wounds:

Larger, lacerated

Pre-embalming restoration procedure for gunshot:

- Face is covered with an emollient (lanolin spray/massage cream)

- Surface bleach ecchymosis around the eyes

- Cold compresses for swelling

Embalming restoration procedure for gunshot:

Leave wounds open and observe distribution

Post-embalming restoration procedure for gunshot:

- Excise dehydrated margins

- Ensure firm, dry tissue

- Large, deep wounds are treated as large cavity restorations

- Small wounds may be sutured

- Some wounds may need waxing, done over firm dry tissue

- Treat remaining discolorations (such as powder burns and black eyes)

Treatment of lacerations and incisions:

- Drying, packing suturing and sealing wounds

- Prior to embalming determine if bridge sutures are necessary