Evaluation and management of traumatic lacerations.

From the Department of Emergency Medicine, State University of New York, Stony Brook (A.J.S.); the Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia (J.E.H.); and the Section of Emergency Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor (J.V.Q.). Address reprint requests to Dr. Singer at the Department of Emergency Medicine, University Medical Center, State University of New York, Stony Brook, NY 11794-8350. ©1997, Massachusetts Medical Society. ACH year in the United States, more than 12 million traumatic wounds are treated in emergency departments. 1 When nonemergency or elective incisions are included, approximately 90 million skin-suturing procedures are performed each year. 2 Traumatic lacerations occur most often in young men, typically on the face, scalp, and hands. 3