Tertiary Intention Wounds

Where there is great loss of tissue, the wound must heal by contraction of the wound edges, and the formation of granulation tissue. In some cases, the presence of a foreign body or infection may be suspected, and these wounds are left open deliberately for several days until the potential complication has resolved. When resolution has occurred, the wound edges can be brought together (approximated) and the wound proceeds to heal. Wound healing by this approach is termed “healing by tertiary intention” or “delayed primary closure”, and is most commonly used in surgical wounds complicated by infection.

Information provided with support from the Wound Healing Research Unit, Cardiff.