Cutaneous wound healing.

The wound healing is a complex process that can be divided into inflammatory reaction, proliferation and maturation of newly formed tissue. The inflammatory phase involves vascular and cellular events and is best characterized by edema, erythema and marked increase of blood supply. During proliferative phase there is formation of the epithelium with concomitant grow of granulation tissue and new blood vessels (angiogenesis). Angiogenesis seems to be strictly coordinated and regulated by multiple grow factors and cytokines released at the wound site. Once the tissue within the wound is formed the maturation phase begins. The synthesis of collagens and other extracellular matrix components increase tensile strength of the wound. Thus, the final result of the process of healing is the formation of tissue able to replace the normal, uninjured skin.