Laceration Repair

Step 1: Pain Control Local anesthesia Most common agent is lidocaine (frequently already in laceration repair kits) Inject through wound edges (not through epidermis) This decreases pain Alternative is digital/regional nerve block Step 2: Irrigation Laceration repair is not a sterile procedure Copious irrigation is the best method to decrease chance of wound infection Faucet/sink […]

Laceration Evaluation

Lacerations are the single best opportunity to demonstrate your procedural skills during your clerkship!!! To Close or Not To Close? Closing a wound with sutures, etc = Healing by “primary intention” INCREASES risk of infection but DECREASES scar Leaving a wound open = Healing by “secondary intention” DECREASES risk of infection but INCREASES scar Step […]