healing by second intention

Last reviewed 01/2018

  • healing by secondary intention refers to healing of an open wound, from the base upwards, by laying down new tissue. There are many kinds of dressings and topical agents available but few have been evaluated in trials
  • a systematic review did not find any evidence that any one dressing or topical agent speeds up the healing of surgical wounds healing by secondary intention more than another (1)

Reference:

  1. Vermeulen H et al. Dressings and topical agents for surgical wounds healing by secondary intention. 1: Br J Surg. 2005 Jun;92(6):665-72.