Which description matches secondary intention?

Which description matches secondary intention?

• A. Well approximated, sutured shut
• B. Not well approximated, allow to close on their own, heal from the bottom up
• C. Combo of primary and secondary left open to drain
• D. Heals by secondary intention

Answer: (B)

Secondary intention describes wounds with edges that aren’t well approximated and tissue loss, so the wound is left open to heal on its own. Healing occurs through granulation tissue formation, wound contraction, and epithelialization starting from the base and then progressing outward, which is why it tends to take longer and leaves more visible scarring. It also carries a higher risk of drainage or infection because the wound remains exposed as it fills in. The description that matches this is a wound not well approximated, allowed to close on its own, and healing from the bottom up. In contrast, a well-approximated wound with sutures reflects primary intention, and a description mentioning a combo left open to drain points to a delayed or tertiary approach rather than classic secondary intention.

Secondary intention describes wounds with edges that aren’t well approximated and tissue loss, so the wound is left open to heal on its own. Healing occurs through granulation tissue formation, wound contraction, and epithelialization starting from the base and then progressing outward, which is why it tends to take longer and leaves more visible scarring. It also carries a higher risk of drainage or infection because the wound remains exposed as it fills in.

The description that matches this is a wound not well approximated, allowed to close on its own, and healing from the bottom up. In contrast, a well-approximated wound with sutures reflects primary intention, and a description mentioning a combo left open to drain points to a delayed or tertiary approach rather than classic secondary intention.