Serosanguineous

Serosanguineous fluid is a type of wound drainage, or exudate, secreted by an open wound in response to tissue damage. As part of the wound healing process, it is common for open wounds to secrete a certain amount of exudate. However, the quantity and appearance of the drainage is dependent on the type of tissue damage. The presence of serosanguineous fluid is usually indicative of damage to capillaries, which are the smallest blood vessels in the body. Capillaries can commonly become injured during wound care, such as when a wound dressing is being changed.

Serosanguineous fluid typically presents during the inflammatory stage of the wound healing process as a by-product of dilated blood vessels. During the inflammatory stage of wound healing, damaged cells will release inflammatory molecules to attract immune cells to the site of injury. This type of drainage is a sign of healing, and it is not usually a cause for concern when it appears in normal amounts.

Serosanguineous fluid is the most common type of exudate secreted by wounds in comparison to serous, sanguineous, and purulent drainage. Serous drainage is a clear, thin, and watery exudate that typically appears during the inflammatory stage of wound healing. A small amount of exudate is normal, while a large amount of exudate can represent a high bioburden count or an elevated number of potentially harmful bacteria living on a non-sterilized surface, which may represent infection. Sanguineous drainage constitutes fresh blood that is typically produced from deep wounds during the inflammatory stage of wound healing. Outside of this stage of wound healing, sanguineous drainage may indicate wound trauma and damaged capillaries. Continuous sanguineous drainage from a wound may also be a sign of a hemorrhage, which reflects damage to an artery or vein. This is known as hemorrhagic drainage. Lastly, purulent drainage typically secretes from infected wounds and consists of white blood cells, dead bacteria, and damaged cells.