When treating a large avulsion, what should you do with the avulsed tissue?

When treating a large avulsion, it is essential to preserve the avulsed tissue to maximize the chances of successful reattachment and healing. The correct approach is to place the avulsed tissue in a moist dressing. This helps maintain the viability of the tissue by keeping it hydrated and preventing drying out, which can hinder its functionality and suitability for reattachment.

Transporting the preserved avulsed tissue with the patient is critical for further medical evaluation and potential surgical intervention. Rapid and appropriate handling of the avulsed tissue is vital in soft tissue injuries, as the sooner it is properly reattached, the better the likelihood of a favorable outcome.

Other options, such as discarding the tissue immediately, soaking it in alcohol, or wrapping it in a dry cloth, do not support the aims of preserving tissue integrity and viability. Discarding the tissue eliminates any chance of reattachment, while soaking it in alcohol would further damage the tissue. Wrapping it in a dry cloth would lead to dehydration, which is equally detrimental to the tissue's condition. Thus, the key to effective management of an avulsion injury hinges on the proper preservation of the avulsed tissue.