Anesthesia, Microcirculation, and Wound Repair in Aging
Year: 2013
Type: article
Abstract: Age-related changes in skin contribute to impaired wound healing after surgical procedures. Changes in skin with age include decline in thickness and composition, a decrease in the number of most cell types, and diminished microcirculation. The microcirculation provides tissue perfusion, fluid homeostasis, and delivery of oxygen and other nutrients. It also controls temperature and the inflammatory response. Surgical incisions cause further disruption of the microvasculature of aged skin. Perioperative management can be modified to minimize insults to aged tissues. Judicious use of fluids, maintenance of normal body temperature, pain control, and increased tissue oxygen tension are examples of adjustable variables that support the microcirculation. Anesthetic agents influence the microcirculation of a combination of effects on cardiac output, arterial pressure, and local microvascular changes. The authors examined the role of anesthetic management in optimizing the microcirculation and potentially improving postoperative wound repair in older persons.
Source: Anesthesiology
Authors: Itay Bentov, May J. Reed
Institutions: University of Washington, Harborview Medical Center
Language: English
Topic: Wound Healing and Treatments
Subfield: Rehabilitation
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: green
Funder: National Institute on Aging
Award: G6284949150
OpenAlex ID: W2003577855