Wound Care and Treatment
Wounds anywhere on the body are one of the core areas of plastic surgery. From stitching a cut correctly, to treating a wound that has not closed for months, to correcting the scar left by a healed wound, our aim at every stage is the same: to heal the wound as quickly as possible, with the least scarring and without loss of function.
In short: Wounds are divided into two groups: sudden (acute) wounds and wounds that do not heal for a long time (chronic). Cleaning and repairing acute wounds such as cuts, crush injuries and burns correctly in the first hours reduces the risk of scarring and infection. In chronic wounds that show no tendency to heal within 4–6 weeks, such as pressure sores and diabetic foot ulcers, the first step is to find out why the wound is not healing. Treatment methods include debridement, modern dressings, vacuum (VAC) therapy, skin grafts and flaps. There are also several treatment options for the scars left after a wound heals.
How Does a Wound Heal?
Every wound heals through similar stages. In the first days, the bleeding stops and the body cleans the wound. Then new tissue and blood vessels form, and the edges of the wound draw closer together. In the final stage, the scar tissue matures and becomes stronger; this process can take 12–18 months. When one of these stages is disrupted, the wound does not heal or heals with a noticeable scar. The aim of wound treatment is to remove the obstacles to healing.
Acute Wounds and Emergency Repair
Cuts, crush injuries, wounds from falls and accidents, animal bites and burns are sudden wounds. With these wounds, the right treatment in the first hours makes a significant difference to the result.
First Aid at the Time of Injury
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To stop bleeding, press firmly with a clean cloth for at least 10 minutes without stopping.
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If the wound is dirty, rinse it with plenty of clean water.
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Do not try to remove objects stuck in the wound.
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Do not apply substances such as cologne, tomato paste, toothpaste or herbal mixtures to the wound.
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If the injury is on the hand or foot, remove rings, watches and other jewelry before swelling starts.
When Should You Go to Hospital?
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Bleeding that does not stop after 10 minutes of pressure
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Deep, gaping or wide cuts
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Injuries to the face, lips, eyelids, hands and fingers
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A foreign object left in the wound, or a very dirty wound
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Animal and human bites
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Numbness around the wound, or being unable to move the fingers
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Burns on the hands, face or genital area, or burns larger than the palm of the hand
How Is Emergency Repair Done?
The wound is first cleaned under local anesthesia, and tissue that is no longer alive is removed. Then, depending on the location and depth of the wound, it is closed in layers with stitches, tissue glue or wound closure strips. On the face and visible areas, we use aesthetic suturing techniques to reduce the risk of scarring. Wounds should ideally be repaired within the first few hours; on the face, which has a good blood supply, this period can extend up to 24 hours. Tetanus vaccination status is also checked at this stage.
Chronic Wounds: Why Don’t They Heal?
Wounds that show no tendency to heal within 4–6 weeks are called chronic wounds. In chronic wounds, the first step of treatment is to find out why the wound is not healing:
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Not enough blood reaching the area (vascular disease)
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Uncontrolled diabetes
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Constant pressure on the wound
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Infection
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Poor nutrition, especially protein deficiency
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Smoking
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Areas that have previously received radiotherapy
Dressings or surgery done without correcting these factors often do not work.
Pressure Sores
Pressure sores develop in people who lie in bed or sit in a wheelchair for long periods, when body weight presses constantly on the same point. They are most common on the tailbone, heels and sides of the hips. The most effective treatment is prevention: frequent position changes, an air mattress, skin care and adequate nutrition. In existing sores, dead tissue is removed, vacuum therapy is used if needed, and in suitable patients the wound is closed with flaps prepared from the surrounding healthy tissue.
Diabetic Foot Ulcers
Uncontrolled diabetes causes loss of sensation and poor circulation in the feet. The patient may not feel a small wound or a rub from a shoe, and this wound can quickly become deeper. In treatment, blood sugar is controlled, infection is treated, dead tissue is removed and the circulation of the foot is assessed; once the wound is ready to heal, it is closed with dressings, vacuum therapy, a graft or a flap. Seeking help early significantly increases the success of treatment.
Leg Ulcers Caused by Vascular Disease
In venous insufficiency, moist, superficial wounds usually develop around the ankle; the basis of treatment is compression stockings or bandages. Wounds caused by arterial blockage, on the other hand, are painful and dry; the circulation must be corrected first. We evaluate these wounds together with vascular surgery.
Wounds That Open After Surgery and Radiation Wounds
Wounds that open along the stitch line after surgery, infected wounds, or non-healing wounds in areas that have received radiotherapy can also become chronic. Because the blood supply of irradiated tissue is impaired, these wounds often need to be closed with healthy tissue, that is, with a flap.
Methods Used in Wound Treatment
Debridement (Wound Cleaning)
Debridement is the removal of dead and infected tissue from the wound. Dead tissue is one of the biggest obstacles to wound healing. Debridement can be done in one session or in several sessions, depending on the condition of the wound.
Surgical Closure: Stitches, Skin Grafts and Flaps
Once the wound has been cleaned and is ready to heal, it can be closed surgically. Small wounds can be stitched directly. For large superficial wounds, thin skin taken from another part of the body (a skin graft) is used. For wounds in which deep structures such as bone or tendon are exposed, tissue moved with its own blood supply (a flap) is needed.
Vacuum-Assisted Wound Closure (VAC Therapy)
For some deep and large wounds, a special sponge and a sealed cover are placed over the wound, and controlled suction is applied with a small device. This method removes fluid from the wound, speeds up the formation of new tissue and prepares the wound for closure with a graft or flap. We decide whether vacuum therapy is suitable based on the condition of the wound.
Modern Wound Dressings
Wounds are known to heal faster in a moist environment. Depending on the amount of fluid from the wound and whether it is infected, different dressing materials are chosen, such as hydrocolloid, foam, alginate or silver dressings. A correctly chosen dressing both speeds up healing and reduces how often the dressing needs to be changed.
Scar Treatments
Every wound heals with a scar. However, some scars can become thick, raised and itchy (hypertrophic scars, keloids) or can contract and limit movement. Methods used in scar treatment:
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Silicone gel and sheets: Reduce thickening in the early stage of scar formation.
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Sun protection: For at least 6–12 months, to prevent the scar from darkening.
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Cortisone injection into the scar: For raised and itchy scars and keloids.
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Laser and dermabrasion: Can reduce surface irregularities and color differences.
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Surgical scar correction (scar revision): For wide, sunken or contracting scars, the scar is removed and repaired again with aesthetic techniques; the direction of the scar can be changed with methods such as Z-plasty.
A scar can take 12–18 months to reach its final appearance. That is why surgical scar correction usually waits until this period has passed.
Wound Care at Home
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Change the dressing as often as recommended and with clean hands.
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Do not pick off scabs.
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Do not apply creams or herbal products that have not been recommended.
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If you smoke, stop; smoking significantly delays wound healing.
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Eat a protein-rich diet and drink plenty of water.
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If you have diabetes, check your blood sugar regularly.
Signs of Infection: When to See a Doctor
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Spreading redness, warmth and swelling around the wound
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Increasing pain
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Foul-smelling or pus-like discharge
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Fever and fatigue
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The wound getting bigger, or its edges opening
Cost and Insurance
The cost of wound treatment depends on the type and size of the wound, the length of treatment and the methods used. There is a big difference between repairing a simple cut and weeks of vacuum therapy followed by flap surgery. The main factors that determine the cost:
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The size, depth and location of the wound
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The number of debridement and dressing sessions
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The length of vacuum therapy
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Whether surgical closure with a graft or flap is needed
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The type of anesthesia and the length of the hospital stay
Because wound treatments are medically necessary, they may be covered by health insurance in many cases. Coverage depends on your policy; if you have insurance in your home country, we recommend checking with your insurer before planned treatment whether your policy covers treatment in Türkiye. Once your treatment plan is clear after the consultation, we guide you through this process.
Information and Booking
A wound that has not healed for a long time, or a scar left after an injury, can affect your daily life and your mood much more than you might think. At the consultation, we evaluate your wound in detail, find out what is preventing it from healing and plan the most suitable treatment together, step by step. When needed, we work together with specialists in diabetes, vascular surgery and infectious diseases.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a chronic wound?
Wounds that show no tendency to heal within 4–6 weeks are called chronic wounds. Pressure sores, diabetic foot ulcers and leg ulcers caused by vascular disease are the most common.
Why isn’t my wound healing?
Poor circulation, uncontrolled diabetes, infection, constant pressure on the wound, poor nutrition and smoking are the most common causes. In treatment, these causes are first identified and corrected.
How can pressure sores be prevented?
Changing the patient’s position at least every 2 hours, using an air mattress, keeping the skin clean and dry, and ensuring adequate nutrition are the most effective ways to prevent pressure sores.
Can diabetic foot ulcers heal?
If blood sugar is controlled, infection is treated and the circulation of the foot is adequate, most diabetic foot ulcers heal, even if it takes a long time. Seeking help early significantly increases the success of treatment.
How soon should a cut be stitched?
Wounds should ideally be repaired within the first few hours. On the face, which has a good blood supply, this period can extend up to 24 hours.
Do scars disappear completely?
Scars do not disappear completely, but they fade significantly over time. With silicone products, sun protection, injections and, when needed, surgical scar correction, the appearance of a scar can be improved considerably.
This page was prepared and reviewed by Op. Dr. Nurgül Altuntaş .
Last update: November 2026