incision

An incision is a surgical cut made through skin or other tissues to gain access to underlying structures for diagnosis, biopsy, or treatment. It is planned to maximize exposure while minimizing tissue injury and preserving function. Incisions are typically made with a scalpel, though electrosurgical or laser devices may be used. The orientation and length are chosen according to anatomy, skin tension lines (Langer's lines), and the target area, with the aim of facilitating closure and reducing scarring.

Types of incisions include linear, curvilinear, or combination patterns, and they may be classified by location, such as abdominal, thoracic, or limb incisions. Common examples include midline abdominal incisions, Kocher or McBurney incisions for the abdomen, and thoracotomies. In some cases, incisions are designed to follow natural creases or to avoid important vessels and nerves.

After the procedure, the incision is closed in layers, often with sutures or staples; drains may be placed. Healing occurs by primary intention when edges are well approximated, with risks including infection, dehiscence, ischemia, and hypertrophic scarring. Proper asepsis and careful technique reduce these risks.

Non-surgical contexts use the term incision to describe any cut produced by a blade or other cutting instrument, but in medicine, it specifically refers to intentional surgical entry.

Etymology: from Latin incisio, from incidere meaning to cut into.