A 1-cm forehead laceration proximal to the hairline after a sports mishap: to minimize infection risk, the nurse practitioner should irrigate and do what next?

A 1-cm forehead laceration proximal to the hairline after a sports mishap: to minimize infection risk, the nurse practitioner should irrigate and do what next?

• A. Wound healing by secondary intention
• B. Delay closure of the wound for several days
• C. Suturing within 6 hours
• D. Refer to a plastic surgeon for cosmetic closure

Answer: (C)

Prompt primary closure after thorough irrigation is the key idea. For a small, clean facial laceration like this, closing the wound with sutures within about six hours minimizes infection risk and yields the best cosmetic result. The face has excellent blood supply, so bringing the edges together early with sutures promotes precise alignment and faster healing with less scarring. Delaying closure for days increases the chance of bacterial proliferation and a poorer cosmetic outcome because the wound may become contaminated and tissue planes can separate. Healing by secondary intention would mean leaving the wound to heal by granulation, which on the face often results in more noticeable scarring and a longer recovery. There’s no need to involve a plastic surgeon for a simple 1-cm forehead laceration when proper primary suture closure is feasible. (Always check tetanus status as indicated.)

Prompt primary closure after thorough irrigation is the key idea. For a small, clean facial laceration like this, closing the wound with sutures within about six hours minimizes infection risk and yields the best cosmetic result. The face has excellent blood supply, so bringing the edges together early with sutures promotes precise alignment and faster healing with less scarring. Delaying closure for days increases the chance of bacterial proliferation and a poorer cosmetic outcome because the wound may become contaminated and tissue planes can separate. Healing by secondary intention would mean leaving the wound to heal by granulation, which on the face often results in more noticeable scarring and a longer recovery. There’s no need to involve a plastic surgeon for a simple 1-cm forehead laceration when proper primary suture closure is feasible. (Always check tetanus status as indicated.)