Acute wounds normally heal in an orderly and efficient manner and progress smoothly through the four distinct but overlapping phases of woundhealing: hemostasis, inflammation, repair, and remodeling (Figure 1). The process of wound healing is complex and involves a variety of specialized cells, such as macrophages, fibroblasts,and epithelial and endothelial cells. These cells interact with each other and with the extracellular matrix. In addition to the various cellular interactions, healing is also influenced by the action of proteins and glycoproteins, such as cytokines, chemokines, growth factors, inhibitors, and their receptors. Each stage of woundhealing has certain milestones that must occur in order for normal healing to progress.
