[Possible interventions in impaired wound healing].

Chronic wounds are long-term results of various diseases. Evaluation and therapy of the underlying disorder must be the first goal of a comprehensive wound care protocol. Treatment of local (i.e. wound infection, necrosis, or foreign body) or systemic (i.e. diabetes, immunosuppression, or patient compliance) disturbing factors is the second major step for appropriate wound care. The third major point is wound bed preparation (i.e. debridement, moist wound dressings, or VAC therapy), and wound stimulation. After appropriate wound bed preparation, wounds can be closed by plastic surgery or wound stimulation through various agents (i.e. protease inhibitors, growth factors, or tissue engineering).