Acute lacerations: Assessment and non-surgical management

Given appropriate case selection and capability, many acute lacerations can be managed in the primary care setting. An understanding of the basic pathophysiology, assessment and management principles is essential.

The aim of this article is to provide a basic framework for assessing and managing simple acute lacerations.

The aim of assessment is initially to decide whether the laceration is suitable for office-based treatment, and then whether it requires formal surgical closure with sutures or staples. Two non-surgical techniques for skin closure in amenable wounds are described. A companion article in this issue provides details of surgical closure techniques and wound aftercare.