Wound contraction: Basic and clinical factors

Wound contraction, the centripetal or concentric reduction in size of an op en wound, is essential to second-intention healing. Wound contraction is ca used by movement of fibroblasts in granulation tissue collagen and pulling forces of granulation tissue myofibroblasts on the skin edges. Contraction can result in complete and normal wound closure; however, abnormalities may cause incomplete and abnormal healing. Numerous factors affect wound contr action, including the amount of skin surrounding the wound; pressure on the wound; and medications, dressings, and surgical procedures that enhance or inhibit wound contraction. Other factors that can affect wound contraction are movement, exposed bone, infection, radiation therapy, and wound shape.