Some of the most commonly encountered and clinically significant impediments to wound healing include wound hypoxia, infection, presence of debris and necrotis tissue, use of anti-inflammatory medications, a diet deficient in vitamins or minerals, or general nutritional deficiencies, tumors, environmental factors, and metabolic disorders, such as diabetes mellitus. Treatment of wounds should be directed against the main etiologic factors resonsible for the wound. Moreover, factors that may impede healing must be identified and, if possible, corrected, for healing. It also presents a challenge to physicians, caregivers, and patients alike.

        Key words: wound healing – hypoxia – infection – general nutritional deficiencies – tumors – environmental factors – metabolic disorders