Which description matches tertiary intention?

Which description matches tertiary intention?

• A. Immediate primary closure
• B. Combo of primary and secondary intention, left open to allow for draining and decrease edema then sutured
• C. Wound heals by secondary intention
• D. Not standardized

Answer: (B)

Delayed primary closure, or tertiary intention, means the wound is not closed right away. It’s left open to allow drainage and edema to subside (and to reduce infection risk), then closed with sutures later. This approach blends primary and secondary healing: you start with opening and drainage (like secondary healing) and finish with surgical closure (like primary healing). It’s used when contamination or infection risk is present, so immediate closure could trap bacteria. The description that fits is a combination of primary and secondary intention, left open to drain and decrease edema, then sutured.

Delayed primary closure, or tertiary intention, means the wound is not closed right away. It’s left open to allow drainage and edema to subside (and to reduce infection risk), then closed with sutures later. This approach blends primary and secondary healing: you start with opening and drainage (like secondary healing) and finish with surgical closure (like primary healing). It’s used when contamination or infection risk is present, so immediate closure could trap bacteria. The description that fits is a combination of primary and secondary intention, left open to drain and decrease edema, then sutured.