What does tertiary intention require for adequate healing?

Tertiary intention healing, also known as delayed primary closure, involves initially leaving a wound open to allow for the reduction of contamination or infection before it is ultimately closed. For adequate healing to occur in tertiary intention, reopening the wound for cleaning is necessary to remove any debris, bacteria, or dead tissue. This process helps promote a better environment for granulation tissue formation and ultimately aids healing when the wound is later sutured closed.

This healing method is typically applied in situations where there is a higher risk of infection or when there is a need to assess the wound before deciding on closing it. Ensuring cleanliness and preventing infection is crucial, which is why reopening the wound for cleaning is integral to tertiary intention healing.