A clean surgical incision is closed primarily. According to the normal timeline of regaining tensile strength, the wound has regained approximately what percentage of its original pre-injury strength by the end of the first week?

• A About 10 percent ✓
• B About 5 percent
• C About 40 percent
• D About 80 percent

Explanation

By the end of the first week, a healing incision holds roughly 10 percent of its original tensile strength, which is why this is the critical window for dehiscence. Strength rises rapidly over the next 4 weeks as collagen accumulates and cross-links, then plateaus at about 70 to 80 percent of original strength by around 3 months, never returning fully to baseline. Options C and D describe later time points, and B underestimates even early healing.

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.