[Primary wound care in children]. / Kleine Wundversorgung bei Kindern.

Primary wound care in children Abstract. Successful wound care of infants and children is facilitated by good preparation and a calm atmosphere. There is not only the child as a patient but also the parents, with their fears and concerns. The physician has to take care of both of them. Parent and child should be informed about the therapeutic intervention appropriately. Reassuring of the child and distraction from the procedure are as important as the treatment itself (e. g. wound stitching or application of wound dressing). Topical anesthesia with LET Gel (lidocain, epinephrine, tetracaine), non-stinging methods to clean the wound (NaCl 0,9 % / Polyhexanid (Prontosan®) soaked swabs) and intranasal application of fentanyl / dormicum can be used to avoid fear and pain. Sedation is used deliberately in small children for wound care. Laceration wounds, mainly those affecting the scalp, chin or forehead can be treated in the emergency room without general anesthesia. Extensive wounds, burns and animal bites often require wound care under anesthesia in children.