Book excerpt: This practical evidence-based guide, intended for professionals who care for acute lacerations and other cutaneous wounds, was written by physicians and researchers from several medical specialties, including emergency medicine, plastic surgery, general surgery, dermatology, pediatrics, and infectious diseases. It offers a thorough and rapid reviewwith key clinical tips highlighted throughout the text to speed the reviewof material. Topics covered include the biology of wound healing, wound assessment and preparation, and wound closure