• The Golden Period of Wound Management: A contaminated traumatic wound becomes an infected wound after a critical lag phase of 6 to 8 hours.
• Microbiological Basis: Bacteria inoculated into fresh tissue require a lag phase of approximately 6 hours to adapt, multiply exponentially ($\gt 10^5\text{ CFU/g}$ of tissue), and invade sub-fascial planes. Wounds debrided and sutured within this golden period can achieve primary intention healing.

Correct option: (3) 6-8 hours