What is debridement?
Debridement involves removing dead or infected tissue and foreign bodies from a wound. This enables or accelerates wound healing. Debridement also prevents the spread of infection. Toxins, such as those produced after burns, are thus prevented from entering the organism.
When do you perform debridement?
Doctors always perform debridement when the body’s own wound healing does not start on its own or progresses too slowly. Debridement is often necessary for the following diseases or injuries:
- Wound infections
- Circulatory disorders
- Pressure ulcers (decubitus)
- Tissue contusions after accidents
- large bruise (hematoma) in the wound area
- foreign bodies in the wound
- severe burns or frostbite
What do you do during debridement?
The most commonly used and fastest method is surgical debridement. In addition, there are other forms of wound debridement.
Surgical debridement
In this procedure, the surgeon uses surgical instruments (scalpel, sharp spoon) to remove all tissue that is poorly perfused, dead or infected from the wound – usually under general anesthesia in the case of larger injuries. Wound coatings are also completely removed.
In addition, a negative pressure can be generated on the wound, which improves the drainage of wound water and additionally supports the healing process. For this purpose, a sterile sponge is placed on the wound, which is connected by a plastic tube to a device that generates the negative pressure.
Enzymatic debridement
Due to its tediousness, this form of debridement is rarely used. In addition, it usually cannot replace surgical debridement.
Physical debridement
A further development is ultrasound debridement: special wound gels are made to vibrate by ultrasound, which transports coatings and dead cells out of the wound.
Autolytic debridement
Biosurgical debridement
In this method, the doctor places special fly larvae in the wound that feed on dead tissue. The fly saliva contains enzymes that break down the scab and kill bacteria. The method is painless for the patient.
What are the risks of debridement?
Since debridement basically initially enlarges the wound area, there is an increased risk of bacterial infections. These usually require further surgical interventions.
What should I pay attention to after a debridement?
After debridement, you should not apply pressure to the wound. When showering, you should wear a special shower plaster over the wound to prevent germs from entering the wound with the water. It is best to talk to the nursing staff here who will help you with personal hygiene.
