lacerations
Lacerations are tears/ skin 'splits' caused by blunt force trauma.
They are to be distinguished from cuts caused by sharp force trauma – incised wounds - including stab wounds. Wounds caused by heavy-bladed implements, such as machetes and meat cleavers produce wounds that have components of both blunt force and sharp force trauma – so-called ‘chopping’ injuries.
Lacerations are caused when a blunt object or surface impacts against the skin resulting in compression, crushing and splitting, or where a shearing force tears the skin and subcutaneous tissues.
Characteristics of blunt force lacerations vs sharp force incised wounds
|
|
Laceration |
Incised Wound |
|
Cause |
Blunt force trauma |
Sharp force trauma |
|
Edges |
Ragged/ irregular |
Cleanly divided |
|
Bruising/abrasions? |
Yes |
No |
|
Depth |
Variable |
Can be uniform |
|
Presence of tissue bridging? |
Yes |
No |
|
Position |
Particularly bony prominences |
Any location |
|
Presence of foreign bodies? |
Often contaminated wounds |
Usually clean (unless caused by glass) |
|
Hairs |
Intact hairs may cross the wound |
Hairs are cleanly divided |
|
Bony injury |
May have associated fractures |
Scoring or chipping of bone may occur |
|
Healing |
2° intention (with extensive scarring) |
1° intention – good if wound edges apposed. Generally leaves fine scarring |
scalp laceration from entaglement
Scalp lacerations can be caused when the hair is caught in moving machinery parts, or vehicle tyres/ wheels etc. The rotational movement tears the scalp from the skull, and forms a 'flap laceration'.
source: clarionsafety.com