Cutaneous

Lacerations, abscesses, and burns are common presenting complaints evaluated in outpatient settings, urgent care centers, and emergency departments. These conditions are often painful, and the treatment procedures may cause additional pain or anxiety. The location and severity of the wound and the chronologic and developmental age of the patient influence the need for local anesthesia or systemic medications to make procedures tolerable for the patient. This section discusses the safe administration of medications to facilitate laceration repair, incision and drainage of abscesses, and burn debridement. General principles of the types of analgesia or sedation that are useful for these procedures are discussed.