As a wound care clinician, you know the wound healing process has many moving parts, including types of wound closures.

In wound care, the goal should be to heal the wound as soon as possible and to keep it healed. And with wound healing, there are three types of wound closure techniques to consider to achieve this — primary intention, secondary intention, and tertiary intention.

The selection of wound closure type depends on how the wound is presented. Noting physical characteristics like exudate color or wound size can help you identify the correct course of treatment and the most appropriate type to use.

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Our skin is the largest organ of our body. It is our protection from injury and harmful substances. It prevents moisture loss, regulates our internal temperature, shields us from germs, protects us from the sun’s harmful ultraviolet rays, and allows us to feel sensations such as touch.

Burns are common trauma wounds that disrupt skin’s protective function. The consequences of that disruption range from minor to fatal. A burn may be caused by heat, electricity, chemicals, friction, and radiation. Providing proper burn wound care as soon as possible will benefit treatment.

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A healthy wound environment is essential for healing. The type of wound care treatment chosen can have either a positive or a negative effect on this process. Starting with the basics and adding on treatments as needed can make a big difference.

Treatment choices are based on the etiology of the wound, wound environment, and the patient’s underlying medical conditions. We’ll begin with the basics of wound care and then look at additional treatments and adjunct therapies.

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