Dehiscence is best described as?

• A. Partial or complete opening of wound edges
• B. Wound infection
• C. Delayed epithelization
• D. Increased scar tissue

Answer: (B)

Dehiscence means the wound edges have separated after they were closed, so the layers of the wound open either partially or completely. It’s about the mechanical separation of the wound rather than an infection itself. An infection can weaken tissue and raise the chance of edges pulling apart, but the defining feature is the actual opening of the wound. In more severe cases, if internal contents protrude through the opening, that’s called evisceration. Delayed epithelization refers to slow surface healing of the wound, and increased scar tissue describes excessive scarring, neither of which describes dehiscence.