To stitch or not to stitch: A case review

Patients with Parkinsonism are at risk of frequent falls by virtue of their unstable gait. Auricular lacerations involving the cartilage are usually managed by Plastics Surgeons. Patient Mr Jones (an alias for this case review) had sustained a significant full thickness auricular laceration that was complicated by a past medical history with Parkinson's disease. This case review summarises a nurse practitioner's (NP) clinical decision-making processes and the experience in the management and treatment of auricular cartilage lacerations in the emergency department.