Wound closure is the final step of surgical intervention. Wound closure refers to the healing of an incisional wound where the original wound edges cannot be approximated by incisions. Wound closure helps minimize the potential for infection and delayed primary closure is a form of wound healing where the wound heals over time by itself, usually with no intervention from the treating physician. Although the primary reason for wound closure may differ between different types of wounds, the basic process is similar in all cases. There are two major types of wound closure, such as primary closure and secondary closure. Primary closure is the fastest closure type and is also known as healing by primary intention. While in the secondary closure (also known as healing by secondary intention), the wound is left open at the end of surgery and heals by contraction and granulation.
In the past few years, wound closure techniques have evolved significantly and now range from simple sutures to adhesive compounds. Multiple techniques can be used for wound closure, such as adhesives, staples, and sutures. The basic process of wound closure involves making three incisions along the length of an incisional wound. In this manner, an individual or small group of personnel can access and evaluate the area around the wound. The process may involve the removal of any surrounding body tissue and then suturing the wound closed. Secondary wound closure is more commonly referred to as wound healing or wound treatment, as it refers to the complete healing of an incisional wound where the original wound edges are no longer present.
The most common method of wound closure used today is wound stapling. Wound stapling involves the insertion of a surgical needle through the skin, down the abdominal cavity, and through the anal sphincter. In addition to being a relatively simple procedure, wound stapling has many advantages. One advantage is that stapling provides the same level of closure as the traditional method of wound closure. Other advantages of staples include strong wound closure, low risk of infection, minimal tissue reaction, and quick placement. Moreover, it offers excellent results as the wounds heal over time. Although stapling is an effective procedure, it has some disadvantages, such as less precise wound edge alignment and higher cost.
Wound closure and wound healing may be combined for better results. If the original wound heals at a faster rate than the wound heals on its own, wound closure may be achieved with either sutures or bandages placed over the site of the original wound. There are two types of sutures, such as absorbable and non-absorbable. In most cases, several types of sutures are required to close the wound adequately because no suture is ideal for every wound. Sutures may be placed inside the incision, as the sutures may remain in the wound for longer periods. Moreover, there are four different stages of wound healing, such as the maturation phase, proliferative phase, inflammatory phase, and hemostasis phase. Furthermore, there has been an increase in the number of applications for wound treatments across the globe due to the recent developments in technology. Wound closure has come a long way and several latest innovations make them highly beneficial for healing and preventing future complications.