Condition Lookup
Sub-Category:
Lacerations and Cuts
Number of Conditions: 1
Deep Lacerations Requiring Sutures
Specialty: Trauma and Injuries
Category: Soft Tissue Injuries
Sub-category: Lacerations and Cuts
Symptoms:
visible deep cut through the skin and underlying tissue; bleeding that is difficult to control; exposed muscle, fat, or bone; pain at the injury site; swelling or redness around the wound
Root Cause:
The integrity of the skin and underlying tissues is disrupted due to a sharp or blunt object, leading to exposure of deeper layers and potential infection risk.
How it's Diagnosed: videos
Physical examination of the wound to assess depth, location, and severity; evaluation for damage to underlying structures such as tendons or nerves. Imaging may be used if a foreign body is suspected.
Treatment:
Cleaning the wound thoroughly, applying local or regional anesthesia, suturing in layers to close the wound, and covering with sterile dressing. Tetanus prophylaxis may be administered.
Medications:
Antibiotics (such as amoxicillin-clavulanate) may be prescribed to prevent infection. Over-the-counter or prescription analgesics (e.g., ibuprofen or acetaminophen ) are used for pain relief.
Prevalence:
How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Common; millions of cases annually in emergency departments worldwide, often resulting from accidental injuries.
Risk Factors:
Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Use of sharp objects, occupational hazards, recreational activities, and insufficient safety measures.
Prognosis:
The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Excellent with proper care; wounds usually heal within 7-14 days depending on size and location. Scarring may occur.
Complications:
Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Infection, delayed healing, excessive scarring or keloid formation, and damage to underlying structures such as nerves or tendons.