A 32-year-old woman undergoes elective cesarean section for breech presentation. On postoperative day 5, the surgical wound shows erythema, warmth, and purulent discharge. Culture grows Staphylococcus aureus. Histopathology of the wound edge reveals predominantly neutrophilic infiltrate with fibrin deposition and minimal collagen deposition. Which phase of wound healing is MOST likely impaired in this patient?