Wound healing

 

Inflammation

"Itis" is the normal response of the body to an insult.                                A local process

Clinical Features

Heat                redness                      swelling                      pain                 loss of function

 

Mechanism of inflammation

Damaged tissues release histamine, a powerful vasodilator, from mast cells, leading to hyperaemia

Increases the permeability of capillaries leading to the    formation of tissue fluid and swelling

Proteins from blood found in the tissues; - fibrinogen --- fibrin

This forms a framework for later repair.

Cells are supplied with nutrients for repair.

Phagocytes migrate to the site of injury.

Inflammation is therefore normal, a necessary first stage in the healing process.

 

Repair

Initial and other insulting factors must be removed

Capillaries sprout new branches into damaged area

Adjacent fibroblasts divide and produce fibrous tissue

Capillaries + fibre making cells = granulation tissue

Adjacent tissue cell mitosis, inability to produce hair folicles and sweat glands

 

Stages in wound healing   A continuous process but;

 

Stage I. Inflammatory stage

0 - 3 days

Includes haemostasis

 

Stage 2. Destructive/migratory

1 - 6 days

Macrophages engulf and digest infectious agents and dead tissue

Increased mitosis in fibroblasts

Angioneogenesis

 

Stage 3. Proliferation/granulation

3 -24 days

Fibroblasts form collagen fibrils

Increasing tensile strength

New capillary loops are supported in a collagen framework

Signs of inflammation subside

Wound remains red and raised

 

Stage 4. Maturational

Collagen fibres start to contract the wound so wound gets smaller

Vascularity decreases

Epithelium migrates inward from the wound edges and hair folicle remnants

Migration can only occur over viable tissue, (moist environment)

Healing stops with contact inhibition

 

Types of healing

Primary intention - little tissue loss,  little risk of infection,  wound edges well approximated,  healing 7 - 10 days

Secondary intention - risk of infection,  wound left open to heal by granulation,  tissue loss prevents approximation,  length of process.