Tag: Contaminated wounds

According to the American College of Surgeons and the CDC, the estimated infection rate for a clean surgical wound is typically less than 2%, while a dirty or infected wound carries the highest risk. Understanding **what are the 4 classifications of wounds** is critical in anticipating and managing this risk, especially in a surgical context, as it helps determine the necessary preventative measures and treatment protocols.

An estimated 1-3% of all surgical wounds result in a surgical site infection (SSI), prompting some medical professionals to use a specific technique to reduce risk. This method, known as delayed primary healing, is an intentional approach to wound closure that has been practiced for decades to manage contaminated wounds and improve patient outcomes.

Used in medical practice for thousands of years, sutures are a fundamental tool for wound closure. A simple interrupted suture is a versatile surgical stitch used to close a wide range of wounds by tying off each individual stitch separately.