We are frequently confronted with penetrating wounds and we must determine if they are lacerations or stab wounds.
A laceration is a wound whose base can be clearly seen throughout its extent. Treatment of a laceration consists primarily of irrigation and closure.
A stab wound has a base that cannot be seen. It is important to thoroughly examine the wound to determine if the base is visible - this can be done by distracting the wound edges, and irrigating any underlying clot.
DO NOT PROBE THE WOUND!!!!
Probing the wound is inaccurate, as your probe may not enter at the same angle as the knife, it is difficult to determine the depth by tactile feel only, and it is dangerous -
Blindly sticking something into a wound may dislodge a clot at the base, or cause a pneumothorax, or other damage.
DO NOT PROBE THE WOUND!!!!
If you are unable to visualize the base of the wound by close inspection, you must assume that it has injured a deeper structure. This means that it is a stab wound and should be worked up accordingly. The work up is dictated by the body region involved.
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