Wound healing associated with severe surgical illness

Severe injury or infection is associated with a hypermetabolic response tha t, when excessive, results in impaired wound healing and as a consequence i ncreased morbidity and mortality, The objective examination of wound healin g in humans is difficult and generally requires the use of models. Evidence is accumulating that nutritional and growth factors play important roles i n improving the wound healing response, particularly after thermal injury a nd uncomplicated major surgery. The septic patient represents the biggest c hallenge to those seeking to optimize wound healing capacity. Advances in m olecular biology have provided promising therapies in experimental studies of wound healing that await clinical investigation.