Traumatic wounds and lacerations are common pediatric presenting complaints to emergency departments. Although there is a large body of literature on wound care, many emergency clinicians base management of wounds on theories and techniques that have been passed down over time. Therefore, controversial, conflicting, and unfounded recommendations are prevalent. This issue reviews evidence-based recommendations for wound care, including wound cleansing and irrigation, anxiolysis/sedation techniques, closure methods, and postrepair wound care.
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Following are the most informative references cited in this paper, as determined by the authors.
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Keywords: wounds, skin injuries, wound care, laceration, animal bite, human bite, tissue adhesive, postrepair wound care, epithelialization, primary closure, healing by primary intention, secondary closure, healing by secondary intention, delayed primary closure, healing by tertiary intention, “golden period”, wound preparation, irrigation, antisepsis, intradermal anesthetics, topical anesthesia, nerve blocks, child life specialist, anxiolysis, procedural sedation, sutures, staples, adhesive strips, hair apposition, simple interrupted suture, deep dermal suture, running suture, locked running suture, running subcuticular suture, mattress suture, vertical mattress suture, horizontal mattress suture, corner stitch, eversion, antibiotic prophylaxis, bite wounds, fight bite
Svetlana Duvidovich, DO; Jennifer E. Sanders, MD, FAAP, FACEP
Maria M. LoTempio, MD, FACS
April 15, 2025
April 15, 2028   CME Information
4 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™, 4 AOA Category 2-B Credits. Specialty CME Credits: Included as part of the 4 credits, this CME activity is eligible for 4 Trauma credits, subject to your state and institutional approval.