MODERN THERAPY OF CHRONIC WOUNDS WITH RESPECT TO RADIATION

Background: Descriptions of wound care techniques have been found in s ome of the oldest archeological findings and chronic wounds have been threaded man thousands of years. However, only in the last few decades substantial progress has been made in understanding the cellular and biochemical processes relevant in normal healing. Pathophysiology: Wou nd healing is a complex process involving a variety of different cells , proteins, chemoattractants, proteinases and growth factors. The norm al repair process is a coordinated cellular and biochemical event and can be characterized by 3 different healing phases (inflammatory, prol iferative, and remodeling phase). Certain pathophysiologic conditions and metabolic disorders alter this preprogrammed course, leading to de layed healing or chronic nonhealing wounds. Disturbance of Wound Heali ng after Radiation: Especially irradiation can complicate tissue repai r and surgical wound healing. Therefore this article will review the b asic understanding of the wound healing process and the knowledge of m odern surgical and conservative wound therapy from a surgical point of view, which is essential to surpass pathophysiological situations and avoid chronic wounds.