Preface

Since the second edition of the Text and Atlas of Wound Diagnosis and Treatment was published, I have read two books that had a profound effect on how I view the science of wound healing. The Beautiful Cure: The Revolution in Immunology and What It Means for Your Health by Daniel Davis and The Language of God: A Scientist Presents Evidence for Belief by Francis Collins—both are captivating reads about the miraculous human body and how it functions. Reading these books increased the awe, both medical and spiritual, I have always felt as I witnessed wound healing in my patients. The understanding of the cellular and acellular components of tissue and how they communicate for both normal and pathological physiology has exploded over the past few years (and I do mean relatively few!). That deeper knowledge has helped the profession (1) to understand how some of the clinical interventions that have been used for decades actually facilitated healing that has been observed clinically (ie, electrical stimulation and ultrasound); and (2) to discover and develop new interventions and diagnostic technologies that are now considered standard care within the wound care community (ie, fluorescence imaging and cellular/acellular matrix products).

These changes are incredibly exciting and at the same time challenging for clinicians as we make decisions on a case-by-case, day-by-day basis for our patients. The options sometimes seem limitless! And as an educator, how can I possibly teach all of this to my students in a two-unit course, much less in a 16-hour module? Thus, my goals for this third edition are (1) to present the new technologies in a concise way that is relative to the basics of wound healing; and (2) to maintain the book's relevance to all of the medical specialties on the wound care team.

When I read Dr. Ennis’ statement that the book is required reading for his fellows, I was humbled, grateful, and excited that he felt it was indeed applicable to all disciplines. As I pondered, researched, and sometimes sweated over revisions, the words in his foreword became the yardstick as to whether something should stay, change, be deleted, or be enhanced. Would it improve a fellow's understanding of wound healing and the physiology of specific interventions? His words became the conscience of the revision process!!! I pray that each decision was the correct one.

The two new chapters on Pediatric Wounds and Exercise for the Patient with a Wound are topics that are seldom discussed at length, and certainly not included in a comprehensive wound care textbook. The authors of these chapters were quick to jump on board the project and have done an outstanding job of making them fit the format of the book. I hope that both of them are helpful to you in your practice.

The reception of the first two editions of the Text and Atlas has far exceeded any dreams that I had when the first edition was imagined 10 years ago. My life has changed probably more than the book's content, but my passion for caring for patients (friends and family now that I am retired from clinical practice) with wounds has never waived nor diminished. I thank each and every one of you for your support in this journey, for the constructive and positive feedback you have provided, and for sharing the vision of a true medical wound management specialty. Blessings to you all from the depth of my heart and soul.