An overview of wound healing with a brief summary of biomaterials applied in chronic wound healing

Wound healing is a highly organized and complex process leading to tissue restoration after injury. It is a dynamic interaction between immune, mesenchymal and epithelial cells, soluble mediators and extracellular matrix components. Acute wound occurs in four overlapping phases – hemostasis, inflammation, cell proliferation and tissue remodeling, and is resolved within a few days or weeks depending on wounded area without any medication. In chronic wound the balance among particular healing phases is altered due to prolonged infection connected with associated diseases such as diabetes mellitus or venous insufficiency. This review summarizes basic principles of acute and chronic wound healing and provides a brief outline of biomaterials applied in current approaches for wound therapy.