Wound Classification Flashcards

Class I: Clean wounds that are uninfected and do not involve entry into respiratory, alimentary, or genitourinary tracts. Typically elective and closed primarily.
Class II: Clean contaminated wounds where normal flora may be present. Involves respiratory or alimentary tracts without significant spillage.
Class III: Contaminated wounds from open accidents or procedures with gross spillage from the gastrointestinal tract. Major breaks in aseptic technique also classified as contaminated.
Class IV: Dirty or infected wounds, including old traumatic wounds with devitalized tissue or existing clinical infections. Organisms causing infections are present preoperatively.

Class I Wound Examples: Adrenalectomy, Breast biopsy, CABG, Elective eye surgery, and other orthopedic procedures.
Class II Wound Examples: Abdominal Hysterectomy, Appendectomy, Cesarean section, Cholecystectomy, and other surgeries involving oropharyngeal or biliary tracts.
Class III Wound Examples: Appendectomy for a ruptured appendix, gunshot or knife wounds, and other contaminated injuries.
Class IV Wound Examples: Excision and drainage of abscesses, surgical access to pus collections, and any wound with pus present.

Phase 1: Inflammatory phase, crucial for clearing debris and preventing infection.
Phase 2: Migration/proliferation phase, where new tissue forms and begins to close the wound.
Phase 3: Maturation phase, involved in remodeling and strengthening the wound.

First intention (Primary Intention): Incision heals swiftly with minimal scarring and no separation of edges.
Second intention: Wound left open to heal from the inner layer outward due to infection or trauma, may result in more scarring.
Third intention (Delayed Primary Closure): Involves contaminated wounds with tissue loss. Closure occurs 4 to 6 days postoperatively after non-viable tissue is debrided.

Inflammatory phase is not synonymous with infection; inflammation is a natural response during healing.
Wound dehiscence refers to the splitting or opening of a wound, indicating potential complications in recovery.