Types of Wounds

Open

Close
 Open Wounds
Abrasions
Incisions
Lacerations
Punctures
Avulsions
Amputations
 Close Wounds
Petechiae
Contusion
Hematoma
 Types of Wounds

Many wounds are combinations of

two or more of these basic types
 Incised wounds
caused by a clean, sharp-edged object
involve only the epidermis
legally classified as a cuts rather than a wound
tend to bleed freely
blood vessels are cut cleanly and without ragged edges
little damage to the surrounding tissues
least likely to become infected
free flow of blood washes out many of the microorganisms
that cause infection
 Lacerations
wounds are torn rather than cut
ragged irregular edges and masses of torn
tissue underneath
irregular wounds:
– blunt impact to soft tissue that lies over hard tissue
laceration of the skin covering the skull
– tearing of skin and other tissues
childbirth
– rough brushing against a surface
 Lacerations
show bridging
connective tissue or blood vessels are flattened
against the underlying hard surface
term laceration is commonly misused in
reference to injury with sharp objects
– not display bridging (connective tissue and
blood vessels are severed)
usually bigger and can cause more tissue
damage due to the size of the wound
 Lacerations
dull knife
bomb fragments
accidents with machinery are lacerations
often complicated by crushing of the tissues

frequently contaminated
dirt
grease
materials ground into the tissue
very likely to become infected
 Abrasions (grazes)
superficial wounds
– topmost layer of the skin (epidermis) is
scraped off
infected quite easily
dirt and germs are usually embedded in the tissues
bleeding not profuse
need medical attention for disinfection
 Abrasions (grazes)
often caused
sliding fall onto a rough surface
rope burns
floor burns
skinned knees or elbows
 Puncture wounds
objects penetrate into the tissues leaving a
small surface opening
Nails
Needles
Wire
Bullets
As a rule
– small puncture wounds do not bleed freely
– large puncture wounds may cause severe
internal bleeding
 Puncture wounds
wounds though not large in surface area
are deep and can cause great internal
damage
possibility of infection is great in all
puncture wounds
to prevent anaerobic infections
primary closures are not made
 Penetrating wounds
object entering the body
knife
 Gunshot wounds
caused by a bullet or similar projectile driving into or
through the body
two wounds - through-and-through
site of entry
site of exit
Profuse bleeding
Serious internal injury
victims are in great pain
can suck in the contaminants from the air
susceptible to infection
In a medical context, stab wounds and gunshot wounds
are considered major wounds
 Gunshot wounds
low-velocity missile damages only the tissues it
comes into contact with
velocity of wound-causing missiles (bullets or
shrapnel)
high-velocity missile can do enormous damage
by forcing the tissues and body parts away from
the track of the missile with a velocity only
slightly less than that of the missile itself. These
tissues, especially bone, may become damage-
causing missiles themselves, thus accentuating
the destructive effects of the missile
 AVULSION
tearing away of tissue from a body part
bleeding is usually heavy
In certain situations, the torn tissue may
be surgically reattached
wrapping in a sterile dressing placing
in a cool container
rushing it-along with the victim-to a medical
facility
Do not allow the avulsed portion to freeze
Do not immerse it in water or saline
AVULSION
 AMPUTATION
nonsurgical removal of the limb from the body
bleeding is heavy
tourniquet to stop the flow
shock is certain to develop
limb can often be successfully reattached
wrap the limb in a sterile dressing
place in a cool container
transport it to the hospital with the victim
Do not allow the limb to be in direct contact with
ice
Do not immerse in water or saline
AMPUTATION
AMPUTATION
 CLOSED WOUNDS
have fewer categories
as dangerous as open wounds
types of closed wounds
Petechiae
Contusion
Hematoma
Crushing Injuries
 Petechia
circumscribed extravasation of blood in the
subcutaneous tissue or underneath the mucous
membrane
passage of blood from the capiliaries may be
due to the increase intra-capillary pressure or
increased permeability of the vessel
hemorrhage may be small or pinhead sized
may coalesce to form a bigger hemorrhagic area
Petechia is not always a product of trauma
 Contusions
commonly known as bruises
caused by blunt force trauma or a hard
punch or knock
rupture certain brittle capillaries that are found
under the skin
blood then leaks into the tissues
"blue-black" discoloration

occasional splitting of the skin

Contusions
 Contusions
red sometimes purple soon after its complete
development
4 to 5 days - color changes to green
7 to 10 days - becomes yellow
14 to 15 days - gradually disappears
The ultimate disappearance of color varies from
one to four weeks depending upon the severity
and the constitution of the body
color changes start from the periphery inwards
 HEMATOMAS
blood tumors
damage to blood
vessel
– blood to collect under
the skin
blunt instrument is
applied in part of the
body whewere bony
tissue is superficially
located
 HEMATOMAS
force applied causes
the subcutaneous
tissue will lead to the
accumulation of blood
causing it to elevate
 Crushing injuries
caused by a great or extreme amount of
force applied over a long period of time
 Causes of Wounds

Knowing what has caused the wound may

give you some idea of the
probable size of the wound
general nature
extent to which it is likely to become contaminated
with foreign matter
special dangers must be guarded against