incisions

Incision refers to a surgical cut made through skin and underlying tissues to access internal structures for examination, diagnosis, or treatment. The term derives from Latin incidere, "to cut into." Incisions are typically planned to provide adequate exposure while preserving function and minimizing trauma to nerves and vessels. Common patterns include linear or curved cuts, with specific designs such as midline, transverse, oblique, Pfannenstiel, or abdominal wall incisions, chosen based on the organ and procedure. Incisions may be elective or emergent and are shaped to follow natural skin lines, known as Langer’s lines, to reduce scarring. In the layers beneath the skin, surgeons carefully dissect to reach targets such as the abdominal cavity, thorax, or joints, controlling bleeding and protecting surrounding structures.

After the procedure, incisions are closed with sutures, staples, or surgical adhesive, and may be reinforced with drainage or dressings. Healing occurs through stages of hemostasis, inflammation, proliferation, and remodeling and may result in primary closure with minimal scarring or secondary healing if edges are not approximated. Complications can include infection, dehiscence (reopening of the wound), hematoma or seroma, nerve or vessel injury, and incisional hernia in abdominal sites. Proper wound care, asepsis, and timing of closure influence outcome.

In pathology and research, an incision may refer to an incisional biopsy, where a portion of tissue is removed for diagnostic analysis rather than the entire lesion. See also excision, biopsy, wound healing.