What Are the Various Treatment Options for Laceration Repair?
Foot laceration is quite a common occurrence as the feet, when not protected, comes into contact with all kinds of sharp objects on a daily basis. Even stubbing the feet against a sharp piece of furniture could cause a laceration. The laceration could be a superficial wound or it could be a deep injury that causes trauma to muscles, tendons, ligaments and bones. Laceration repair is commonly done to treat and heal this kind of trauma.
Treatment
Options for Lacerations
The
treatment for lacerations can be as simple as an antiseptic wash and a sticky
plaster (in case of a superficial cut) to surgical procedures and skin grafting
for deep wounds. Treatment options can include:
Skin-Closure
Strips
These
are effective for small, simple lacerations for wounds that are very mild and in low-tension areas. They are not
for use in deep cuts as they can lead to wound dehiscence.
Tissue
Adhesives
Tissue
adhesives are useful when a quick out-patient treatment is sufficient for
laceration repair of the wound. It can be applied quickly and requires no
anesthesia. With tissue adhesives, there is no necessity for a follow-up visit
because they fall off by themselves in a few days.
Sutures
Suturing
is one of the first skills that a medical student learns and is widely used for
laceration repair of deep wounds. During the procedure, the area around the
wound is cleaned and a local anaesthetic may be given to numb the area.
The
type of suture will depend on the severity of the laceration. Sometimes one
layer of sutures may suffice. If the muscle or tendon has been cut, the repair may need multiple layers of
sutures. The inside sutures will be made with absorbable material and the
outside will have stronger non-absorbable sutures. After the procedure, the
wound will be cleaned up and dressed.
Usually,
follow-up care is necessary to check on the wound and the sutures as there is
risk of infection, and for the removal of the sutures.
Also Read: THINGS YOUR PODIATRIST WISHES YOU KNOW
ABOUT YOUR FEET
When Are
Skin Grafts Necessary for Foot Lacerations?
In
severe cases of foot laceration,
the suturing and the subsequent scarring could cause deformities in the feet
or leave deep scars. Skin grafting may be needed to rectify the deformities or
to get rid of the scarring.
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