OVERVIEW

What is a scalp laceration?

A scalp laceration, as the name suggests, is a tear-like injury to the scalp caused by various traumas, which can occur due to falls, impact injuries, sharp object injuries, or bites from animals or humans.

Scalp lacerations are common in emergency surgery and are usually not serious. The main symptoms are pain and bleeding, which can be cured with debridement, suturing, and bandaging. The prognosis is good, and it does not significantly affect daily life.

SYMPTOMS

What are the common manifestations of scalp lacerations?

The most common manifestations of scalp lacerations are pain and bleeding at the injured site. Due to the rich blood supply in the scalp, the bleeding may appear alarming to the naked eye, but the blood loss is usually not excessive. If other head injuries are present, symptoms such as altered consciousness, severe headache, or vomiting may also occur.

What serious consequences can scalp lacerations cause?

Simple scalp lacerations generally do not lead to severe consequences. However, if the injury is extensive, the wound is heavily contaminated, local infection occurs, or complications such as skull fractures or intracranial hemorrhage are present, conditions like hemorrhagic shock, secondary blood-borne infections, sepsis, septic shock, or brain herniation may develop. In severe cases, these complications can be life-threatening.

CAUSES

What Causes Scalp Lacerations?

Scalp lacerations are primarily caused by trauma, such as falls, impact injuries, sharp object injuries, animal or human bites, and machinery entanglement.

DIAGNOSIS

What tests are needed for a scalp laceration?

Scalp lacerations are typically diagnosed through a detailed physical examination by the attending physician, including assessing the length, depth, and shape of the wound, as well as checking for visible contamination, foreign objects, or skin defects.

If the doctor suspects retained foreign objects (such as glass, metal, or stones), an X-ray may be ordered to identify them. Ultrasound may also be used to detect foreign objects not visible on X-rays.

If the doctor suspects a skull fracture or other intracranial injury (usually based on physical examination and medical history), a cranial CT scan may be required for further evaluation.

If surgical intervention is deemed necessary after assessment, the doctor may also order preoperative blood tests.

TREATMENT

Which department should I go to for a scalp laceration?

Scalp lacerations are usually acute conditions caused by trauma and should be treated at the nearest hospital's emergency surgery department. If the scalp wound is large, involves severe defects requiring skin grafting, or is accompanied by complications such as skull fractures or intracranial bleeding, the emergency doctor will typically consult specialists such as plastic surgery or neurosurgery.

Can a scalp laceration heal on its own?

If the wound is small, bleeding is well-controlled, there is no significant scalp tissue loss, and no other complications, a scalp laceration may heal on its own. However, there are risks of infection or delayed healing, so medical attention is still recommended.

How is a scalp laceration treated?

For simple scalp lacerations, doctors typically perform wound exploration followed by cleaning, disinfection, hemostasis, anesthesia, suturing (or stapling), and bandaging as needed.

A tetanus vaccine may be administered if required. Pregnant women should receive both tetanus and diphtheria toxoid vaccines. If the injury is from an animal bite, rabies immune globulin and rabies vaccine are necessary.

Most scalp laceration patients do not require antibiotics. However, if the wound is severely contaminated or the patient has vascular insufficiency or immune deficiencies, doctors may prescribe preventive antibiotics.

If the patient has other serious complications, such as life-threatening conditions from severe trauma (e.g., spleen rupture, pelvic fracture, airway injury), doctors will prioritize treating these issues and may only apply temporary pressure dressing to the scalp laceration for later treatment.

Does a scalp laceration require hospitalization?

Scalp lacerations usually only require outpatient treatment and follow-up. Hospitalization may be necessary if other severe complications are present.

Can a scalp laceration be completely cured?

Yes.

DIET & LIFESTYLE

What should patients with scalp lacerations pay attention to in their diet?

For simple scalp lacerations, there are no specific dietary restrictions. However, patients should consume more fruits and vegetables, maintain a balanced diet with both meat and vegetables, use less salt and high-salt seasonings when cooking, eat fewer pickled foods, and avoid alcohol as much as possible.

How should patients with scalp lacerations care for their wounds?

Patients with scalp lacerations should closely monitor the wound condition, keeping the sutured or stapled area dry and covered with gauze. Depending on the suture material, most wounds can be exposed to air 24–48 hours after treatment (unless pressure dressing is required to prevent hematoma).

When it is no longer necessary to keep the wound dry, gently clean the area with soap and water. However, avoid soaking the wound underwater. After cleaning, pat the wound dry and apply antibiotic ointment.

Do scalp lacerations require follow-up? How should follow-up be conducted?

Yes. Depending on the wound condition, especially the type of suture or staple material used, patients with scalp lacerations should return to the hospital for follow-up and suture removal 7–14 days after the initial treatment to assess wound healing.

If symptoms such as redness, swelling, pus discharge, or wound reopening occur, seek medical attention immediately.

Can patients with scalp lacerations engage in strenuous exercise?

Patients with scalp lacerations are advised to avoid strenuous exercise for 1–2 weeks after the injury, as it may lead to wound reopening or infection.

PREVENTION

Can Scalp Lacerations Be Prevented? How to Prevent Them?

Preventing scalp lacerations primarily involves avoiding accidental injuries in daily life. For example, workers in high-risk occupations like lathe operation should wear safety helmets; drivers must fasten seat belts or wear helmets as required; protective gear should be used during activities like roller skating or rock climbing.