Which healing type is commonly chosen when infection risk is high and the wound is left open to be closed later?

• A. Primary intention healing
• B. Secondary intention healing
• C. Tertiary (delayed primary) healing
• D. Wound healing by epithelialization

Answer: (C)

Delaying closure until infection risk has decreased is called tertiary (delayed primary) healing. In this approach, the wound is initially left open after cleansing and possible debridement to allow drainage and to reduce bacterial load, giving time for the infection to clear and for a healthy granulation bed to form. Once the wound bed is clean and well vascularized, it is closed surgically or with delayed closure. This combines the safety of not trapping infection with the better healing and cosmetic outcome of later closure.

If the wound edges are closed promptly with clean margins and low infection risk, that’s primary intention healing. If the wound is left open to heal on its own due to contamination or tissue loss without planned later closure, that describes secondary intention healing. Wound healing by epithelialization refers to the mechanism of surface restoration that occurs during healing, not a distinct closure strategy.