[Principles of primary and secondary wound management]

Wound management includes treatment of injuries, chronically open wounds of various origin, and incisions. Despite successful primary wound healing has good functional and cosmetic results, primarily closure should not be forced by raising wound tension or in wounds with increased risk of infection, respectively. Standards of trauma wound debridement according to location and type of wound are still in force. Anatomically incorrect type of surgical incisions may disturb wound healing. Sutures of the subcutaneous tissue are associated with increased risk of infection and should therefore be avoided. Alternatively, vacuum drainages may be used. Antibiotics should only be given exceptionally and if so, not as a local application. In case of chronically open wounds, underlying diseases should be treated, respectively. Moist wound healing using occlusive dressings has been established successfully in local management of chronic wounds.