Question

Describe in details all you have to do for someone who sustained a deep laceration

Answer 1

A laceration is a type of an open wound that may be deep cut or tearing of skin occurred because of accidents with machinery, knife, sharp tools, etc. Rapid bleeding and extensive is common in a deep laceration. Deep laceration goes beneath the skin to fats, muscles, etc. This needs medical treatment immediately.

Management of deep laceration

1. Control the bleeding

Mostly the bleeding from the deep laceration is very rapid. There is need to control it by direct application of force over a period of time. This will help to stop the bleeding.

2. Cleaning of wound

For proper cleaning first, give local anesthesia as it is very painful. Proper observation should be done for any foreign bodies, Irrigation should be done with sterile water under pressure to remove the foreign bodies, debridement.

3. Tetanus Prophylaxis

Tetanus injection one shot should be given as soon as possible to prevent tetanus

4. Repair of laceration or stitching

The repair of the laceration is done by stitching for the deep laceration.

-Clean the area with iodine.

-Cover the area with surgical drape and maintain proper aseptic technique

- Provide local anesthesia

- Stitch the under the skin area first with absorbable suture material

-Then stitch the skin with unabsorbable suture or absorbable suture material

- Clean it with saline and apply antiseptic

- Covered with gauze and bandage

- Remove the stitch for non-absorbable suture material after 5-14 days.

5. Antibiotic prophylaxis

Administered antibiotics for prevention of infection in prior. The antibiotic therapy should be completely taken for 7 - 10 days to prevent infection.

6. Daily Dressing

Daily change of the dressing should be done to prevent infection and observe for improvement.

7. Maintain hygiene

The person should maintain personal hygiene until the healing process is completed. This will help to prevent infection

8. Activities

Avoid doing streneous activities by using the wound area. This will have a chance to remove the stitches before completing the healing process.