RELATION OF SERUM PROTEIN TO WELL HEALED AND TO DISRUPTED WOUNDS

Abstract

In a previous paper¹ we reported observations on the relation of serum protein concentration to wound healing in human beings. The study consisted of details regarding the total protein, albumin and globulin, the albumin-globulin ratio and the calculated protein oncotic pressure of the serum of patients in the postoperative state whose wounds had been carefully observed. These patients fell into three groups, namely, those with clean wounds (hernial and laparotomy), those with deeply infected wounds (below the deep fascia) and those with disrupted wounds. It was concluded that in general patients who had deep infection or disruption of their wounds showed lower values for total protein and for oncotic pressure in their serum. This was due mainly to a diminution in the albumin fraction. In this paper we shall present additional data regarding the relation of serum protein concentration to clean wounds and disrupted wounds. We shall also present