Closure Rate of Chronic Wounds With Sinus Tract: Morphological and Pathological Classification

Closure Rate of Chronic Wounds With Sinus Tract: Morphological and Pathological Classification

Summary: A prospective case series from Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai, published in Wounds, evaluated closure rates in **chronic wounds with sinus tracts (CWST)** classified by morphological and pathological features. Four subtypes were defined: simple CWST, morphologically complex, pathologically complex, and refractory. The study demonstrates how systematic classification can guide prognosis and therapy selection.

Key Highlights:

  • Simple CWST had the highest closure rate (~85%).
  • Morphologically complex CWST healed in ~70% of cases with extended follow-up.
  • Pathologically complex CWST (e.g., associated with osteomyelitis or chronic inflammation) had closure rates below 50%.
  • Refractory CWST showed the poorest outcomes, underscoring need for advanced reconstructive or adjunctive therapies.
  • Authors recommend that morphological and pathological assessment become routine in chronic sinus-tract wound evaluation.

Read the full study in Wounds

Keywords:
chronic wound sinus tract,
closure rate,
osteomyelitis,
Ruijin Hospital