Minor Laceration Repair

What is laceration repair?

Lacerations are cuts in the skin, often caused by a sharp object, such as a knife or razor. They can be minor and heal effectively on their own without medical intervention, or deeper and need stitches, staples, or other wound care treatments.

KC Cares Med offers laceration repair for minor cuts and similar wounds, helping your skin heal effectively with minimal scarring.

What can cause lacerations?

The following may cause lacerations:

• Sports injuries
• Knives, tools, or other sharp objects
• Animal bites
• Falls
• Skin tears caused by pressure
• Physical violence
• Car crashes
• Penetrating injuries
• Stepping on or grabbing something sharp

See Dr. Smith to learn if a laceration needs specialized treatment, or if at-home wound care is enough.

Am I a candidate for minor laceration repair?

If you have a cut that is tiny, shallow, and not bleeding, you probably don’t need medical laceration repair. Examples of wounds that may need medical intervention include those:

• Containing dirt or debris
• With exposed bone, tendon, muscle, or fat tissue
• Creating a feeling that something is in the wound
• With uneven or jagged edges
• Causing bleeding that continues after 10-15 minutes of applying pressure
• With a potential for noticeable scarring
• Located on a joint, or your feet, hands, chest, or face
• With depths of more than ⅛-¼ inches

Dr. Smith can examine your cut virtually to learn if you need home-based or in-office wound care.

What are the different types of minor laceration repair?

Different types of laceration repair available at KC Cares Med include:

Steristrips

Steristips are adhesive strips that close minor wounds that are shallow, clean, and have straight edges. 

Medical glue

Medical glue can also close lacerations while they heal. Dr. Smith may apply the glue in several thin layers and place a bandage over the area. 

Stitches

KC Cares Med offers stitches to close wounds that are deeper and often contain jagged edges or exposed muscle or fat tissue.

Staples

Staples are sturdier than stitches. They’re often used for deeper wounds not located on delicate areas of your body.

Wound cleaning

Dr. Smith thoroughly cleans any wounds before closing them to reduce the risk of an infection and optimize healing.

Medications

Antibiotics help prevent or treat infections. You might take an oral antibiotic or apply a topical medication to the treatment area. 

It’s important to follow your wound care instructions at home to enhance the healing process, minimize scarring, and reduce the risk of complications. Call KC Cares Med anytime with questions about your treatment plan.

Schedule laceration repair at KC Cares Med by calling the office or requesting an appointment online today.