Wounds may be acute or chronic, and wound care can be straightforward or exceedingly complex. While the care of surgical wounds begins in the hospital setting, current management of both acute and chronic wounds favors outpatient treatment modalities. Although there has been an increase in the availability of specialized wound care centers, they are not available in all communities and surgeons will be called upon to assist in management of both complex and chronic wounds. An overview of wound care priorities and management of specific wound challenges is provided.