[Review part I: basic mechanisms of cutaneous woundhealing]

Cutaneous woundhealing is a complex system integrating cellular and extracellular components. It is basically divided in 3 stages: First the physiological exsudative inflammation, followed by the proliferation of granulation tissue and finally the collagen-synthesis, scarring and remodelling. Although these systems seem to be apt for skin repair the final product consists of low quality tissue. Disorders of this fine balance turns acute physiological woundhealing into chronic woundhealing. This is to be dealt with in the second part of this review.