Emergency Management of Chronic Wounds.

摘要

As America's emergency departments witness an escalation in care provided to an aging population, the emergency physician increasingly evaluates and treats manifestations of chronic disease. In 2004 the population of Americans over the age of 65 was 34 million. By the year 2030 this population is projected to reach 69 million. Nonhealing wounds are often a presenting manifestation of chronic disease. They are a source of pain and disability for this population. Emergency physicians should possess a fundamental knowledge in the management of chronic wounds. This article familiarizes the emergency physician with the epidemiology of chronic wounds, the physiology of tissue repair, the pathophysiology involved in wound healing failure, the common types of chronic wounds, and specific management strategies.