The tensile strength of the wound stas and increases after ?: (A) Immediately after suturing, (B) 3 to 4 weeks, (C) 10-12weeks, (D) after 6 months
Answer is B. Wounds do not begin to gain tensile strength from collagen immediately after the suturing . Wound stas achieving tensile strength around 20 % by 3 weeks, and increases by around 80 % by 12 weeks. The maximum scar strength is 80% of that of unwounded skin. Scar tissue continues to remodel for at least 6 - 12 months after an injury. Ref: Surgery of Bailey and love,26th edition.