How Wound Healing Abnormalities Impact Clinical Care

Stefanos Boukovalas, Kristen A. Aliano, Michael Smith J and Linda G. Phillips

Department of Surgery, Division of Plastic Surgery, University of Texas Medical Branch, USA
School of Medicine, University of Texas Medical Branch, USA

^*Correspondance to: Linda G. Phillips 

 PDF  Full Text DOI: 10.25107/2474-1647.1158

Abstract

One of the greatest clinical challenges faced by plastic surgeons is that of the chronic non-healing wound. In this review, we provide a brief overview of the molecular biology of wound healing, discussing the three overlapping phases: reactive, proliferative and maturational. We also discuss the most commonly encountered deterrents to physiologic wound healing, including hypoxia, infection, diabetes, malnutrition, and medications. Moreover, we describe the most common chronic wounds: pressure ulcers, diabetic foot ulcers, and venous stasis wounds. A variety of treatment modalities is available to solve these difficult problems, such as hyperbaric oxygen therapy and regenerative medicine treatments. Due to the complex natural history of chronic wounds, they are best approached in an inter-disciplinary manner.

Keywords

Wound healing; Diabetic foot ulcers; Inflammation

Cite the article

Boukovalas S, Aliano KA, Michael Smith J, Phillips GL. How Wound Healing Abnormalities Impact Clinical Care. Clin Surg. 2016; 1: 1158.