Wounds

Classification of wounds :-
A. Class I - Clean wound :
- Wounds of elective surgery with aseptic
technique
- No hollow viscus, which normally contains
bacteria, is opened (e.g.Gastrointestinal,
Genitourinary or Respiratory tract)
Examples : Vascular surgery, Mastectomy,
Herniorrhaphy, Total hip replacement,
Exploratory laparotomy (with no bowel
involvement) etc.
[Infection rate : 2%]
B. Class II - Clean contaminated wound :
- Gastrointestinal, Genitourinary or
Respiratory tract is opened, but there is no
spillage (minimum contamination)
Examples : Appendectomy, Cholecystectomy
etc.
[Infection rate : 10 %]
C. Class III - Contaminated wound :
- Gross spillage from an unprepared organ
- Fresh, traumatic wounds
Examples : Resection of unprepared bowel,
Ruptured appendix
[Infection rate : 20 %]
D. Class IV - Dirty wound :
- Pus in operative field
- Traumatic perforation of viscus
- Dirty, traumatic wounds
Examples : Debridement, Incision & drainage
of abscess, Fecal peritonitis etc.
[Infection rate : 30-70%]