Surgical Incisions Essay Example

Introduction

Koutoukidis, Stainton, and Hughson (2012) define surgical incisions as cutting of or into body tissues or organs especially done by the surgeon as part of an operation using the surgical instrument. The primary purpose of a surgical incision is to facilitate the surgical procedure of operation. Therefore, in doing so, the main objective of surgeons is to carry out the most suitable incision that corresponds to the needs of the operation to be performed (Malek, 2016). Thus, the Australian Commission for Safety and Quality in Health Care (2010) provides that while conducting an incision, surgeons must ensure they achieve accessibility, security, and extensibility.

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Arterial Ulcers

Inadequate supply of blood in lower extremities causes arterial ulcers through depriving tissues of oxygen. Also, minor cuts or scrapes may fail to heal due to an inadequate oxygen supply, which consequently makes them develop into ulcers. Arteriosclerosis, narrowing of the blood arteries and high blood pressure cause an inadequate supply of nutrient-rich blood and oxygen into the tissues, which consequently causes the poor supply of oxygen into the tissues (Koutoukidis et al., 2012). Empirical evidence suggests that arterial ulcers often grow following the occurrence of a slow-healing minor injury. Severe arterial ulcers can spontaneously kill the cells; thus causing a breakdown in the skin without precipitating injuries. Managing arterial ulcers require proper care such as ensuring the wound surface is continuously clean. In this sense, it is necessary to clean and moisten the wound and remove dead tissues regularly.

Venous Ulcers

These wounds are caused by improper functioning of venous valves, especially on legs. In the case where veins in the legs are not capable of efficiently pushing blood back to the heart, the blood backs in these veins and build considerable pressure. Thus, when the condition is not treated, the excess fluid and substantial pressure in the affected part is likely to form an open sore (Government of Queensland, 2017). Management of venous ulcers requires enhancement of the blood flow and supply to the legs.

Mixed Ulcers

A mixed ulcer is exhibited by individuals with significant levels of arterial insufficiency and venous disease although such people do not experience severe inadequate supply of blood that can cause ischemia. The aim of managing mixed ulcers is to treat both diseases effectively. Nonetheless, patients with this condition require careful evaluation and frequent follow-ups (Malek, 2016). Compression therapy is ideal for managing mixed ulcers.

Malignant wounds

A malignant wound refers to an open cancerous cavity of the skin. It might resemble a pit or open region on the surface of the skin. It might appear are irregular growth on the surface of the skin (Koutoukidis et al., 2012). The injury may come about given an essential growth or may spread to the skin from another site. According to Government of Queensland (2017), these wounds are resulted due to the invasion of the skin, blood vessels or the lymph by cancerous cells. These wounds can affect the entire quality of life of an individual. Since they are capable of limiting an individual's independence, malignant wounds can thus cause severe emotional distress. Malignant wounds cannot heal at advanced stages. Treatment of these wounds thus focuses on controlling pain.

Neuropathic ulceration wounds

Repeated stress of the legs that have reduced sensation causes neuropathic ulcers. Nonetheless, the presence of neuropathic ulcers on a tissue implies trauma rather than pressure. This means that another vascular impairment must be present to cause ulceration (Koutoukidis et al., 2012). Treatment of this condition requires thorough debridement of the wound to healthy, bleeding tissue.

Inflected wounds

These are the wounds that have been invaded by pathogenic microorganisms, causing tissue damage and inflammation, thus, delaying the healing process. Bacterial colonization is the primary cause of wound infection. Infected wounds are characterized by severe pain, psychological detriment, and discomfort for the patient. Patients suffering from this condition should promptly and properly clean their wounds to ease the bioburden, and maintain hydration and essential nutrition.

Burns

Burns differ in severity and type, which consequently complicates pain management of burns. Malek (2016) classifies burns into; first, second, third and fourth-degree burns. The classification depends on depth and severity with which the burn penetrates the surface of the skin. First-degree burns affect only the outer layer surface of the skin - epidermis. Symptoms of the first-degree burn include the presence of a red, dry and painful site without blisters. First-degree burns are not likely to cause long-term damage to the skin tissues. Second-degree burn damages the epidermis and dermis layers of the skin. In this case, they make the site red, swollen, painful and blistering. Third-degree burns often affect deeper tissues of the dermis. This type both turns the skin white or charred and may result into numbness of the skin. Finally, the fourth-degree burns affect the underlying muscles, bones, and tendons (Malek, 2016). The destruction of the nerve endings in the affected areas often removes sensation. Burns can result from dry heat, wet heat friction, radiation, heated objects, electrocution, the sun or chemicals. Management of burn injuries heavily depends on the type and severity.

Fistulas and sinuses

Vicaretti (2013) defines fistula as an abnormal channel that connects two anatomic spaces. On the other hand, a sinus is a blind-ended track extending through the underlying cavities from the surface of the skin. An orofacial fistula is a pathologic correspondence between the cutaneous surface of the face and the oral cavity. On most occasions, fistula patients need surgery to enhance healing since spontaneous healing is usually rare. The two conditions occur frequently and usually complicate and prolong illness and hospitalization.

Skin grafts

Melanoma Institute Australia describes skin graft as the process of transferring skin from one part of the body to another to seal a wound. The donor site refers to the site that generated the skin graft (Government of Queensland, 2017). Skin graft has existed for more than three decades and has been helpful in closing large wounds that occur on skin surfaces from which cancer has been removed.

Visceral wounds include spleen, liver, penile, kidney and abdominal wall injuries. Some of the notable risk factors for visceral wounds are direct blows and contact sports. Deceleration patterns of injury can cause wounds in the visceral these visceral organs of the body (Vicaretti, 2013). Empirical evidence recommends midline incision as the standard technique for dealing with visceral wounds due to versatility and ease.

Discharging wounds- when tissues are damaged, the body responds by producing exudate, a thin, clear, watery drainage of plasma. It is ordinary amid the fiery phase of wound mending, and littler sums are viewed as typical injury waste

Pressure ulcers-are wounds to skin and hidden tissue coming about because of delayed weight on the surface. Bedsores frequently create on skin that spreads hard territories of the body, for example, the sole foot areas, lower legs, hips, and tailbone

Wound Management Techniques

Wound debridement

This refers to the removal of unhealthy tissues and substances from a wound surface to promote healing. Vicaretti (2013) opines that dead skin usually inhibits the development of healthy tissues and increase the susceptibility of the affected area to further infections. However, there are certain factors necessary for consideration before debriding a wound. According to Vicaretti (2013), it is essential of a comprehensive assessment by a qualified clinician to determine the appropriateness of debridement in facilitating the healing process in a wound.

Surgical debridement

Surgical debridement refers to a wound debridement procedure that uses forceps, scalpels, scissors and other surgical instruments. Clinical experts often recommend this technique for large, painful wounds that have significantly damaged tissues. Timely application of surgical debridement is likely to prevent amputation or even deaths that may occur due to sepsis (Malek, 2016). However, this method can cause significant emotional and physical stress, which prolongs the recovery periods for patients.

Doppler assessment

It analyses the lower leg and brachial systolic blood weights. A vital factor deciding the rate of mending of any twisted is adequate blood vessel blood supply. In the administration of leg ulcers, the ABPI shapes a major piece of the appraisal. It ought to be noticed that the ABPI ought not to be embraced in disconnection, but rather ought to be utilized as a part of conjunction with an all-encompassing appraisal, and a medicinal and clinical examination of the appendage. Before, a clinical study would have included palpating the beats to identify any blood vessel impedance. Notwithstanding, the proof is that palpation of heartbeats is subjective and inclined to impressive blunder

Compression therapy

Compression therapy is basic and successful methods for improving blood flow around the leg. The compression stockings and socks reduce venous pressure and effectively prevent impairment of the venous walls, thus relieving aching (Vicaretti, 2010). The dressings gradually extend vein dividers and enhance the general course of disposing of swelling.

Common pressure leggings are for the most part produced using a flexible article of clothing attire, and once put on consider graduated tightening to start at the lower leg and working its way up the leg. The socks or leggings fill in as a recreated muscle, adding some strain to contracting regions of limited blood flow in the leg, enabling veins to extricate up and diminish torment in the lower appendages.

Sufferers of incessant venous sickness are the fundamental contender for pressure treatment. Constant venous illnesses emerge in individuals expanded weight strains the leg veins, which can incite valves inside the veins to neglect to work productively, bringing about bloodstream to go down and in the long run pool out in the legs (Vicaretti, 2010). Constant venous ailments can happen in any patients who have encountered at least one of the accompanying:

Clinical photography

The Royal Children's Hospital Melbourne describes clinical photography as the recording patients' daily clinical conditions for diagnosis and making decisions regarding treatment (The Royal Children's Melbourne, 2018). Thus, clinical photographers' work involves the provision of images, graphic design and fine art to facilitate patient diagnosis and treatment. Other uses of clinical photography include patient medical records and monitoring, medico-legal purposes, teaching, and research and publications (The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Ophthalmologists, 2014).

Wound tracing

This refers to a solid two-dimensional technique for recording wound region that is anything but complicated to utilize and requires no uncommon abilities (South Eastern Sydney Local Health District, 2014). At the point when utilized as a part of the mix with design metric zone estimation it has excellent legitimacy for shallow, pear-formed injuries without undermined edges

The correct process for sterile specimen collection

Jill Malek (2016) illustrates the following procedure for collecting a sterile...