A soldier sustains a heavily contaminated open laceration of the thigh from a farm accident. After thorough debridement, the wound is left open with dressings. On which post-injury day is delayed primary closure conventionally performed if the wound remains clean?
- A Day 3 to 5 ✓
- B Day 1 to 2
- C Day 7 to 10
- D Day 14 to 21
Correct answer: A. Day 3 to 5
Explanation
Delayed primary closure (healing by tertiary intention) is performed at 3 to 5 days, once bacterial contamination has been controlled and the wound observed for infection, but before significant granulation tissue and contraction make approximation difficult. Closure before 48 hours risks trapping contamination, while waiting beyond a week leaves a granulating wound better managed by secondary intention or grafting. This approach is standard for contaminated traumatic wounds.
Reference: Bailey and Love's Short Practice of Surgery, 28th ed.
High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP
Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.