Deep Cuts

From: David_Olson@cc.chiron.com-DeleteThis
Date: Mon Jul 06 1998 - 15:25:17 PDT

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From: David_Olson@cc.chiron.com-DeleteThis
Date: Mon, 6 Jul 1998 15:25:17 -0700
Message-Id: <0030AFB7.CE21364@cc.chiron.com-DeleteThis>
Subject: Deep Cuts
To: justin@infoscape.com-DeleteThis, wind_talk@opus.hpl.hp.com-DeleteThis
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     This is in response to Justin's question on deep cuts:

     The primary reason for not sewing up a cut after several hours relates
     to the risk of infection. Once the cut has been exposed to infectious
     agents sealing them in via stitches could be problematic.

     All things equal, an open wound will take longer to heal than a
     stitched wound. An open wound needs to form a scab to keep out
     infectious agents and keep in the various healing/growth factors that
     the body uses to fight infection and re-grow tissue. If the wound
     were stitched, the scab phase is eliminated and the growth factors are
     better retained inside the closed skin, promoting faster healing with
     less scaring.

     Lastly, what to do to speed up the healing process. Keep the wound
     dry, clean and dressed. Use an antibiotic ointment. A slightly more
     expensive, but substantially more effective (faster/less scaring/less
     effort) method is to cover the cut with a post operative surgical
     dressing (DuoDerm Surgical Dressing is one brand and can be found at
     most medical supply stores). This kind of surgical dressing comes in
     5x5 inch sheets and you cut it to completely cover the wound. The
     stuff is incredibly sticky and will remain in place for several days
     if cared for properly, even in water! The benefit of this kind of
     dressing is that it completely seals the wound limiting contamination,
     but more importantly it keeps all of the tissue growth factors in and
     around the wound dramatically speeding healing. The stuff can be a
     bit expensive and will run about $4-$7 for a 5x5 inch sheet. Depending
     on the size of the wound (and efficiency employed in cutting pieces
     off the 5x5 sheet), one sheet can last a long time. For deeper cuts,
     I find it indispensable, especially during windsurfing season.

     Good Luck and see you on the Bay.

     David

     -------------------Justin's Message Text Follows----------------------
     On Saturday's race, I got a bad fin cut on my leg. When I finally went
     to the doctor on Sunday night, he told me that I should have come in
     immediately so that it could have been sewed up. You can't get a cut
     sewed up after 7 hours, and if you don't get it sewed up, supposedly
     it takes longer to heal and scars much more.

     However, I bet if I went in Saturday night, the doc would have told me
     not to sail on Sunday.

     The doc said that I've got to keep my leg dry for a week. Ughhh. But
     I've got a race on Friday. Does anybody have any practical advice for
     deep cuts and these situations?
     ----------------------------------------------------------------------

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