When does reactionary hemorrhage occur?

• A. Reactionary hemorrhage - occurs a few hours after procedure where the blood clot has been displaced.
• B. Primary hemorrhage - occurs immediately after a surgical procedure due to cut blood vessels.
• C. Secondary hemorrhage - occurs a few days after and is due to infection at the site.
• D. There is no reactionary hemorrhage.

Answer: (A)

Reactionary hemorrhage is bleeding that reoccurs a few hours after a dental procedure, when the initial blood clot in the socket has become displaced or destabilized. The clot normally seals the socket, but if it’s dislodged by mouth movement, rinsing, or eating, the exposed vessels can start to bleed again. This timing—hours after the procedure—and the mechanism (clot displacement) fit the description of reactionary hemorrhage best.

This differs from primary hemorrhage, which is bleeding that occurs during the procedure as vessels are cut, and from secondary hemorrhage, which happens days later, often due to infection or inflammation eroding a vessel.