The Brigham and Women’s Hospital Wound Care Center (WCC) provides multidisciplinary diagnosis, treatment, education, and support to foster wound healing for thousands of patients each year. Our wound care experts include plastic and reconstructive surgeons, specialty-trained physician assistants and a certified wound, ostomy and continence nurse.
Treatment Options
Debridement
Debridement is the medical removal of dead, damaged, or infected tissue to improve the healing potential of the remaining healthy tissue.
Skin Grafts/Flaps
Some wounds will not heal without surgical closure. If the wound isn't too deep and is free of unhealthy tissue, our Plastic Surgeons can take a piece of skin - called a skin graft - from another area of the body and place it on the wound. The top two layers of skin are removed (usually from the thigh) and attached to the wound with sutures. If there is deeper tissue loss, your surgeon may take a piece of skin that involves all layers from the groin or abdomen for the skin graft. If there is a large wound with exposed bone, muscle or tendon, your surgeon may have to use a reconstructive flap for wound closure. A flap is a piece of tissue that contains skin, fat, and sometimes muscle and may include an artery and vein for blood supply. The flap is placed over the wound and attached with sutures or staples. This is a much more involved surgery than a skin graft and may require several days in the hospital.
Referrals and Appointments
If you are interested in arranging a consultation with one of our wound care experts or have questions, please contact us at (617) 525-9213. Self referral is acceptable. View Directions to the Wound Care Center (directions found at bottom of web page).
