ABSTRACT
Different types of wound healing are healing by first intention, healing by second intention, and delayed primary closure. Delayed primary closure is suitable for wounds that have a significant risk of infection if closed primarily. Wounds that present late – more than 6–8 hours after trauma, although wounds in highly vascular areas such as the face or scalp can be closed up to 24 hours after trauma. Treatment consists of exploration, with debridement and thorough toilet, observation with antibiotic prophylaxis, and closure after 3–10 days. Healing by second intention occurs when a wound is left open to heal by the formation of granulation tissue, contraction and epithelialisation. It is employed in cases where there is no possibility of a tension-free approximation of edges due to: loss of tissue, oedematous tissue precluding closure, and the presence of infection or contamination.
