Which of the following wounds is managed most appropriately by healing through secondary intention?

• A A clean elective thyroidectomy incision in a healthy patient
• B A pilonidal abscess cavity after formal drainage, left open with regular dressings ✓
• C A laceration on the forearm presenting 2 hours after injury, edges apposable
• D A contaminated laparotomy wound closed at day 5 once cultures were negative

Explanation

Secondary intention means leaving the wound open to fill with granulation tissue, contract, and re-epithelialise from the margins. It suits infected or heavily contaminated cavities such as a drained pilonidal abscess, where closing would trap pus. Option D describes delayed primary or tertiary intention, not secondary intention. Clean elective and fresh clean-cut wounds are candidates for primary closure, so options A and C are incorrect.

Reference: Bailey and Love's Short Practice of Surgery, 27th ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.