Abstract: The topic of wound healing is often assumed to refer to the process that occurs in the skin as the body restores the integrity of lost tissue by formation of a collagenous scar. The classic phases of inflammation, proliferation, connective tissue deposition, and remodeling have been described extensively in cutaneous healing and suitably form the basis of our understanding of tissue repair. The processes that occur in the skin also apply to tissue repair in a variety of tissues and organs. However, some of these “other tissues” undergo tissue repair in a manner not entirely consistent with that which occurs in skin. All tissues in the body must undergo some form of tissue repair. This repair may represent maintenance of wear and tear injuries that occur in joints, replacement of highly proliferative cells with short life spans such as epithelial lining in the intestinal tract, or the repair of traumatic injuries. These processes may result in pathologic conditions if healing is excessive or deficient (Table 1). Many of these tissues are encountered directly by the general or trauma surgeon, whereas others are affected in the polytraumatized patient. Accordingly, it is imperative that the surgeon understand the healing processes in these tissues. This article highlights the healing processes that occur in bone, tendon, and alimentary tract. Additionally, the healing or “take” of skin and bone grafts is reviewed. Although similarities exist with cutaneous healing, several important differences occur.
Publication Year: 1997
Publication Date: 1997-06-01
Language: en
Type: review
Indexed In: ['crossref', 'pubmed']
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Cited By Count: 60
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