In wound management, which statement best describes primary closure for wounds that are clean and have minimal infection risk?

• A. Primary closure is preferred for clean wounds with minimal infection risk
• B. Delayed closure for clean wounds
• C. Never close a wound
• D. Use adhesives only

Answer: (A)

For wounds that are clean with minimal infection risk, closing the wound promptly after thorough cleaning is the preferred approach. Primary closure means bringing the wound edges together and suturing or stapling so the skin heals by primary intention. This method promotes faster healing, reduces scar, and lowers the time the wound is exposed to the environment, provided the tissue is viable, there's good blood supply, and contamination is truly minimal. If there were significant contamination or a higher risk of infection, closing right away could trap bacteria and lead to infection, which is why delayed closure or leaving the wound open to drain would then be considered. Adhesives can be used for some small superficial wounds, but the overarching idea here is that clean wounds with low infection risk are best managed by closing promptly to achieve optimal healing.