Which statement best distinguishes dehiscence from evisceration?

Which statement best distinguishes dehiscence from evisceration?

• A. Evisceration is dehiscence with exposure of organs
• B. Dehiscence is dehiscence with exposure of organs
• C. Dehiscence and evisceration are the same condition
• D. Evisceration involves infection

Answer: (B)

The key idea is the extent of wound disruption and whether internal organs are visible. Dehiscence is when a surgical wound separates along its layers, without necessarily exposing internal organs. Evisceration is a more severe form where, in addition to wound separation, internal viscera protrude through the wound opening. So the precise description is that evisceration is dehiscence with exposure of viscera. The other distinctions don’t capture this difference, since dehiscence alone does not imply organ protrusion, and evisceration is not simply about infection but about organ exposure through the wound.

The key idea is the extent of wound disruption and whether internal organs are visible. Dehiscence is when a surgical wound separates along its layers, without necessarily exposing internal organs. Evisceration is a more severe form where, in addition to wound separation, internal viscera protrude through the wound opening. So the precise description is that evisceration is dehiscence with exposure of viscera. The other distinctions don’t capture this difference, since dehiscence alone does not imply organ protrusion, and evisceration is not simply about infection but about organ exposure through the wound.