What is a characteristic of a clean surgical wound?

• A. A wound that is uninfected and produced under sterile conditions
• B. A wound that shows signs of inflammation
• C. A wound that is infected
• D. A wound that requires immediate treatment

Answer: (A)

A clean surgical wound is characterized by being uninfected and created under sterile conditions. This means that during the surgical procedure, the wound was meticulously managed to prevent any contamination, thereby lowering the risk of infection. The absence of inflammation or pus in a clean wound indicates that it has not been exposed to bacteria or other pathogens that could lead to infection.

In surgical practice, maintaining a clean wound is crucial for promoting optimal healing and reducing postoperative complications. This characteristic is foundational in assessing wound types, where medical professionals can categorize surgical wounds based on their cleanliness, which directly influences patient outcomes. A clean surgical wound sets the stage for effective healing, as it generally leads to fewer complications and infections compared to wounds classified as contaminated or infected.