The value of healing by secondary intention for sizeable defects of the face.

Sizeable facial wounds from trauma or tumor excision were allowed to heal by secondary intention in 20 patients. Because of its many advantages, including simplicity and satisfactory outcome as well as absence of donor site scarring, this most ancient mode of wound repair may be the procedure of choice under certain circumstances. The surgeon should not always feel compelled to use a flap or graft on the face when simple closure is not possible and when "nature" is available.