When you have an operation, or if you cut yourself accidentally, the cut is closed using stitches (sutures), clips glue or tape, depending on the site and depth of the cut.
Wound healing
The normal process of wound healing involves three basic stages:
- Inflammation – blood flow to the wound is increased making it appear red and swollen. This only lasts a short time
- Proliferation – this happen when new blood vessels grow into the cut area, bringing nutrients and removing dead tissue
- Maturation – your wound has healed from the ‘bottom up’, new skin covers the wound and forms a scar
Closing a wound with stitches, clips, staples, glue or tape encourages the wound to heal faster.
Sometimes, the cut (or surgical wound) is left open because there is a risk of infection, or there is not enough tissue to bring the wound edges together, or because the stitches/staples have been removed because the wound became infected. In this case, the wound will be treated with special dressings.
Dressing
The dressing used will depend on the type of wound and the condition of the wound. The aim of care is disturb the wound as little as possible, preventing infection and making the wound as painless as possible. Your healthcare professional will advise you.
