skurði

Skurður is a term used to describe a surgical incision or cut made to access internal tissues or organs. In Icelandic, skurði is the dative singular form of the noun skurður, whose English counterpart is incision. An incision is planned to provide safe and direct access for a medical procedure.

In practice, an incision is performed under sterile conditions and usually with anesthesia appropriate to the procedure. The surgeon uses instruments such as a scalpel or other cutting devices, and may employ electrosurgical, laser, or ultrasonic technologies to aid cutting and hemostasis. After the underlying tissue is accessed, the intended operation is carried out, and the wound is closed with sutures, staples, or tissue adhesives.

Incisions are classified by location, depth, and purpose. Common categories include abdominal, thoracic, limb, and cranial incisions, as well as superficial versus deep incisions. They may be diagnostic, such as biopsies, or therapeutic, such as removing diseased tissue, draining collections, or gaining access to a body cavity or organ.

Risks associated with a skurður include infection, bleeding, injury to nearby structures, anesthesia-related complications, poor wound healing, and scarring. Recovery depends on the tissue involved and the overall health of the patient, ranging from rapid healing for minor, superficial cuts to longer recovery for deep or complex incisions. The practice has evolved from ancient surgical techniques to modern aseptic procedures and standardized wound closure.