A surgical incision closed primarily regains tensile strength gradually during remodeling. Approximately what percentage of its original pre-injury tensile strength does the wound have at the end of the first week?
- A About 5 percent
- B About 50 percent
- C About 10 percent ✓
- D About 90 percent
Correct answer: C. About 10 percent
Explanation
By the end of the first week a healing incision has only about 10 percent of its original tensile strength, which is why early suture removal risks dehiscence. Strength rises to roughly 50 percent by 4 weeks and plateaus at about 70 to 80 percent, never reaching normal. The distractor of 50 percent corresponds to the one-month figure, not the first-week figure.
Reference: Robbins and Cotran Pathologic Basis of Disease, 10th ed.
High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP
Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.