Jump To
Laceration repair is a delicate process. There are several ways in which this treatment can be done depending on the severity of the injury, with differing levels of difficulty. Patients can learn more about what laceration repair in Boston involves by getting in touch with Westford Dermatology & Cosmetic Center.
What Is Laceration Repair?
When patients are wounded in a way where invasive surgery is not required to address the damage, they need laceration repair. This treatment option can be used to address cuts, tears, and rips that involve the skin, tissue, and muscles. It is not the appropriate treatment option for issues like organ damage, pure burns, or blunt-force trauma.
In more extreme cases, wounds that expose bone can still be treated using laceration repair, but the method used would depend on the extent of the damage. For less severe cases, initial treatments at home can make more extensive treatments easier.
Good Candidates for Laceration Repair
Patients who have wounds that expose fat, flesh, bones, or organs would be good candidates for laceration repair. When cuts or tears are still bleeding after 15 minutes, laceration repair may be necessary.
If the damage reaches an extent where more extensive surgical procedures are required, laceration repair will not be the ideal solution.
Laceration Repair Treatments
There are several laceration repair treatment options available depending on the severity of the damage. There is the simple use of adhesives called Steristrips, which will help keep wounds closed until they heal naturally. It is typically limited to shallow cuts with clean, straight edges.
A special type of glue called Dermabond can be used for similarly light wounds. For deep and/or jagged cuts, however, stitches or staples would be used.
Diagnosis and Repair
The first step to laceration repair is diagnosing the damage to see how severe it is. The type of treatment used will then be chosen. Treatment for relatively minor wounds will be quick and straightforward and will require local anesthesia. For more serious injuries, the procedure could take longer and may require more invasive solutions to close the wounds. General anesthesia might also be needed.
Following laceration repair, patients can expect some discomfort, swelling, and tenderness. For lighter injuries, patients can typically heal within 10 days. For more serious wounds that required stitches or staples, complete recovery could take several weeks.
Set Up a Consultation
More details about laceration repair in Boston are available to patients when they contact Westford Dermatology & Cosmetic Center. Arrange your appointment for diagnosis and treatment.
Your procedure will be performed by board-certified dermatologist Dr. Steven Franks in Boston, MS.
