Within minutes, the repair processes are initiated. After the transient
vasoconstriction induced by platelet factors, local small vessels
dilate secondary to the effects of the coagulation and complement
cascades. The local endothelial cells then break cell-to-cell contact,
which enhances the margination of infl ammatory cells into the wound
site.
An effl ux of white blood cells (fi rst neutrophils, later monocytes)
and plasma proteins enters the wound site (Fig. 3.2A).